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THE 

STANDARD HOYLE 

A COMPLETE GUIDE 

and 

RELIABLE AUTHORITY UPON ALL GAMES 

or CHANCE OR SHILL NOViT PLAYE-D 

IN THE UNITE:D STATES 

■wHetHer of 

Native Origin or Foreign Introduction 



FULL EXPLANATIONS HO^Vr THE VARIOUS 

GAMES ARE TO BE PLAYED, ^A^ITH 

DIAGRAMS AND ILLUSTRATIONS 

New and Revised Edition 




NEW^ yorh 
Excelsior Publishing House 

Mclleon & ScHofielci, Props. 

8 Mxirray Street 

1904- 



THE LTBRARY Of. 

COMGREGS, 
Two CoPics RscEfve©! 

l-«88 a xXft Mo. 

7 /^ r 5 

. COPY 8. 






COPYRIGHT, 1887, BY 
EXCELSIOR PUBLISHING HOUSE. 



COPYRIGHT, 1903, BY 
EXCELSIOR PUBLISHING HOUSE. 



* • « • • r ' 



PREFACE. 



A FAITHFUL endeavor has been made in this volume to present all the 
best known games of cards. It is believed, then, that The Standard 
HoYLE is complete, containing a greater number of games in actual usage, 
with the explanations in regard to the playing of them, than any work yet 
published. Little that is original can be claimed for a volume of this char- 
acter, as the rules governing many of the games are fixed ; but what may 
be asserted is this, that when changes have been made, due to the modern- 
izing of certain games, such alterations have been diligently sought for, 
and are to be found incorporated in the work. Many of these leading 
games have been entirely rewritten by various experts, and present, there- 
fore, novel features. Prints of the cards themselves, in particular combi- 
nations, will be found useful, as they give a clearer insight into the peculi- 
arities of games. 

It would be impossible to print into one volume the thousand and one 
games which are only occasionally played. The larger proportion of 
such games have but a temporary existence, and played to-day are for- 
gotten to-morrow. The ingenuity of the maker of new games is endless, 
but his apparent genius generally amounts to nothing more than the 
changing or blending of one or two well-knov/n games and the produc- 
tion of a worthless hybrid. 

The Standard Hoyle has been supplemented with the leadiitg in 
and out of door games due to physical skill, and the description of such 
games, with their rules, adds in no small degree to the general usefulness 
of the volume. 

The endeavor has been made not so much to condense as to get rid of 
that unnecessary verbiage which so often overloads the text in books on 
games. This book is compiled, then, not alone for those who wish to 
acquire a new game, but is to be consulted by the expert who desires in- 
formation in regard to the rules governing games. 



PREFACE. 



CARDS AND THE ORIGIN OF CERTAIN GAMES OF CARDS. 

Archaeological discussions in regard to the origin of cards are always 
interesting. As ethnologists trace the migrations of races, their studies 
are not directed alone to the resemblances of animal types, but the ways, 
manners, and customs of the various races of men are examined and com- 
pared. Looking at the subject in its broadest and most philosophical 
light, it must be apparent that as soon as primitive man became freed, in 
a certain measure, from the necessity of appeasing his hunger, or protect- 
ing himself from his enemies, there arose a desire for amusement. A 
stone, the first natural object found, if thrown into the air, will fall on 
one or the other side, and these sides differing in some simple way must 
have originated the game of Pitch and Toss. The antiquity of dice can- 
not be fathomed, for knuckle bones were played with in the most remote 
times. Some one has written a series of interesting chapters, not on the 
origin of games, but descriptive of their adoption by various peoples. In 
most of the cases the beginning was in the far East. In that long-lost 
civilization where art and luxury existed, the idea must be entertained 
that there was leisure. Men did not work all the time. There was need 
for recreation. 

As to the origin of cards — that is, pictures printed on some kind of 
lasting substance, not necessarily paper — an advanced condition of civil- 
ization is to be presumed. Long and learned efforts have been made to 
show that playing-cards were first known in India and China and carried 
from these countries to Europe. The question, we think, is not one as to 
invention of cards, but simply as to the time when cards were brought, 
if they were brought at all, from the East to the West. It is useless, 
then, to speculate as to when or where cards v/ere first used. We do not 
see anywhere the possibihty mentioned that the Crusaders might have 
acquired some inkling of cards from the Saracens. Might not the Moors, 
some centuries before the crusades, have introduced vheir games of chance 
through Africa to Granada ? We do not dismiss, then, in a few words, 
speculations advanced by those who favor the idea of the Oriental deri- 
vation and transmission of playing-cards. A newer element, however, is 
one which is gradually being advanced by archaeologists in regard to 
many "inventions." It is this : that in accordance with the wants of 
mankind, human brains have striven toward the accomplishment of the 
same things in various parts of the world ; or, in other words, similar ob- 
jects have been fashioned without one race of men having any possible 
connection with another. 

The earliest date, which has never been disputed, and from which the 



PREFACE. 3 

positive history of playing-cards in Europe begins, is the one discovered 
by Pere Menestrier in the registers of the Chambres des Comptes of 
Charles VI. of France, the account being that of Charles Poupart, the 
royal Treasurer. In the account commencing ist of February, 1392, is 
the following entry : " Donni a Jacquemin Gringonneur^ peintre^ pour 
trots j'eux de cartes a or^ et a diver ses couleurs^ ornis de plusieurs de- 
vises^ pour porter devers le Seigneur Roi^ pour son ebatement L VI sols 
Parisisy That is, ** Given to Jacquemin Gringonneur, painter, for three 
packs of cards in gold and various colors, and ornamented with several 
devices, to carry before the Lord our King, for his amusement, fifty-six 
sols of Paris." 

The conclusion drawn from this passage, that cards were invented for 
the use of Charles VI., is unwarrantable. A careful examination of the 
wording shows that the payment was for paintings not for inventing 
cards. The general tenor of the entry, the simplicity with which it is 
made, the absence of any allusion to novelty in the conception, all point 
to the conclusion that playing-cards were already known ; and that these 
cards were executed to special order, with more elaborate gilding and 
coloring than usual, as would probably be the case with cards intended 
for the personal use of royalty. 

There are seventeen pieces in the National Library, Paris, which are 
erroneously called the Gringonneur or Charles VI. cards of 1392. They 
are in reality fine Venetian tarots of the fifteenth century, in the opinion 
of some judges not earlier than 1425. 

In conclusion, it may be stated that the xylographic art, or printing 
from a surface which receives the ink and makes an impression, in fact 
printing, is derivable from the cardmakers of yore. Cards first were 
stenciled ; then later the design was cut roughly on wood and put through 
the press. If the earliest known print taken from a wood block is the St. 
Christopher or the St. Sebastian of the first or second quarter of the 
fifteenth century, there is the certainty that there were playing-cards, with 
rough engravings on them, of a much earlier date. It need not shock 
then human susceptibilities to learn that the precursors of the pictures of 
saints were first the stencils, then the rough blocks made for the decora- 
tion of playing-cards. 

In 1328 there is a French romance which inveighs against the folly of 
games such as *' Dice, Checkers, and Cards." Cards must have been in 
use then for many years prior to this date. The account given by Charles 
Poupart in 1392 of the cards made for Charles VI. has already been pre- 
sented. The price paid the artist, Gringonneur, *' 56 sols of Paris," 
would be equivalent to $40 to-day. We have the cost of a pack of cards, 



4 PkkPAdL 



not made for kings, in 1454, which was 5 sous Toumois. In 1397 there 
Is an edict promulgated by the Provost of Paris, forbidding people from 
playing ** tennis, bowls, dice, cards on working days." The oldest printed 
cards in any private collection are of 1442. Cards were well known in 
Italy in 1379. There is a manuscript of that year which intimates that 
cards came from the land of the Saracen and were called Naib. The 
Duke of Milan in 1415 had cards painted on pieces of ivory. About this 
same time the Flemish nobles played with cards made of thin sheets of 
silver. In 1404 the S)mod of Lang^es forbade the clergy playing cards. 
In 1423 St. Bernard of Sienna preached against playing cards, and with 
such effect that the people brought their ** cards, dice, and games of 
hazard " and burnt them. Card-making must have been one of the im- 
portant manufactures of Venice, because, in 1441, the Senate issued a 
decree ordering the Venetians to encourage cards made in Venice, and 
putting an embargo on the importation of foreign cards. In this decree 
prints of a sacred character for altar-pieces and playing-cards are classed 
in the same category. 

The oldest pack of 52 cards known in the United States is one in per- 
fect preservation, of the year 1642. It was found at an old house in New 
Jersey in 1870. The ca^ds had never been used. The cards are English 
ones. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

ALL-FOURS 242 

All-Fives 244 

Blind All-Fours 244 

California Jack 246 

Commercial Pitch 245 

Dom Pedro 249 

Double Pedro (Cinch) 250 

Draw Pedro 249 

Laws of All-Fours 243 

Pedro 249 

Pitch 246 

Rustle 247 

Sancho Pedro 247 

Shasta Sam 247 

BACCARAT 287 

Baccarat Chemin de Fer 291 

BACKGAMMON 420 

Laws of Backgammon 429 

Russian " 428 

BAGATELLE 7. 545 

BEZIQUE 187 

Cavendish's Rules for Bezique 187 

Four-Handed " 197 

Four-Handed Polish " 201 

Laws for " 195 

Laws of Polish " 201 

Polish, or Fildinski " 200 

Rubicon " 197 

Three-Handed " i97 

BILLIARDS 390 

Block, or Everlasting Pool 412 

Bottle Pool 411 

Chicago Pool 410 

Fifteen-Ball Pool 410 

High-Low-Jack Game 414 

Losing Pyramids 414 

Rules of Balk-Line Game 402 

" Cushion Caroms 400 

" Pyramid Pool 40^' 

" Pin Pool 396 

** Three-Ball Game 405 



6 CONTENTS, 

BILLIARDS — continued. page. 

Rules of Two-Ball Pool ,....„. 403 

Russian, or Five-Ball Pool 413 

Shell Out 414 

Spanish Billiards 414 

The Game of Snooker '. 415 

The Laws of Snooker 417 

The Plant Game 413 

Three-Cushion Carom 415 

Two-Ball Game 415 

Two-Cushion Carom 415 

BLIND HOOKEY 356 

BOODLE 389 

BOSTON 344 

French Boston 347 

BOURSE 560 

BRAG zzz 

Three-Stake Brag 334 

CALABRASELLA 260 

Laws of Calabrasella 263 

CASINO 283 

CATCH THE TEN 357 

CHESS 476 

CINCH, OR HIGH FIVE 250 

COMMERCE 335 

COMMIT 356 

CONNEXIONS 282 

COON CAN 540 

CRIBBAGE 160 

Dealing 160 

Five-Card Cribbage I73 

Four-Handed Cribbage 166 

Laws of Cribbage 170 

Six-Card Cribbage 166 

Three-Handed Cribbage 166 

DICE 467 

Ace Pot 469 

Beggar Your Neighbor 470 

Centennial 4^9 

Chuck-a-Luck, or Sweat . 470 

Draw Poker 468 

Going to Boston 47^ 

Help Your Neighbor 471 

Multiplication 468 

Raffles 468 

Round the Spot 470 

Vingt-et-Un 469 



CON TEN IS, 7 

PAGE. 

DOMINOES 218 

All Threes 241 

Bergen 224 

Bingo 220 

Cyprus 241 

Draw Game 219 

Draw Pool 241 

Four-Handed Bingo 222 

Euchre 223 

Loo 238 

Malakoff 228 

Matadore 239 

Muggins, or Fives 219 

Poker, or Bluff -. 225 

Pool 240 

Quinze 227 

Rounce 222 

Rules used in Dominoes 234 

Sebastopol 227 

Speculation 229 

Terms used in Dominoes 229 

Three-Handed Bingo 221 

Tidley-Wink 228 

Two-Handed Euchre 224 

Vingt-Un 224 

Whist 240 

DRAW POKER 117 

Jack Pot 124-135 

Laws of Poker 121 

Mistigris 157 

Poker Principles (Proctor) 149 

Positions and Probabilities 140 

Probabilities 134 

Progressive Poker 158 

Schenck's Rules 117 

Straight Poker 156 

Stud Poker 157 

Tiger 157 

Whiskey Poker 157 

DRAUGHTS, OR CHECKERS 443 

Italian Draughts 465 

Laws of Draughts 449 

Losing Game of Draughts 464 

Polish Draughts 448 

Spanish Draughts 465 

Turkish Draughts 465 



3 CONTENTS. 



, , PAGF. 

ECARTE ., 292 

General Rples for Ecart^ 298 

Laws of Ecart^ 301 

E. 389 

EUCHRE 174 

French Euchre 184 

Laws of Euchre 182 

Napoleon Euchre 184 

Progressive Euchre 185 

Railroad " 183 

Set-Back " 183 

Six-Handed " 186 

Three-Handed " 176 

FARO 212 

FILDINSKI 200 

FIVE AND TEN 342 

FLINCH 558 

HAZAF D , . . . . 472 

HEARl S 268 

Double, or Eagle Game of Hearts 270 

Five-Handed Hearts 274 

Progressive Hearts 274 

Three-Handed Hearts 274 

GO BANG 267 

GRABOUGE 554 

IMPERIAL 322 

Laws of Imperial 330 

JOCKEY CLUB 339 

KENO, OR LOTO 54^ 

American Loto 541 

English Loto 543 

Loto Dauphin, or French Loto 542 

Tombola, or Italian Loto 543 

LANSQUENET 349 

LOO 352 

Club Law 354 

Division Loo 355 

Irish Loo 355 

Laws of Loo 354 

Mixed Loo 355 

Three-Card Loo 353 

Unlimited Loo • 355 

LOTO • 541 

LOTTERY 350 

MATRIMONY 281 

MONTE 306 



CONTE^T^. 9 

NAPOLEON 550 

Bliicher 553 

Misere, or Misery 551 

Nine-Card Nap 553 

Sir Garnet, or Spare Hand 552 

Six, or Draw-Card Nap 553 

Variations of the Game 551 

Wellington 552 

NEWMARKET 285 

NUMERICA 561 

OLD SLEDGE (Ali.-Fours) 242 

PENUCHLE 203 

Four-Handed Penuchle 209 

Three-Handed Penuchle 206 

Two-Handed Penuchle 203 

PIQUET 430 

Laws of Piquet 434 

Three-Handed Piquet 437 

POPE JOAN 284 

PROPS 388 

PUT ., 351 

Laws of Put 352 

QUADRILLE 308 

Laws of Quadrille 311 

QUINCE T 279 

REVERSIS 336 

Laws of Reversis 338 

REVERSI 556 

Royal Reversi 557 

ROUGE ET NOIR 265 

ROULETTE 340 

ROUNCE 303 

German Ramsch 304 

Jack- Pot Rounce 304 

Rules for Rounce 304 

Short Ramsch 304 

Skat Ramsch 305 

SARATOGA 286 

SHUFFLE-BOARD : 475 

SIFT SMOKE 351 

SIXTY-SIX 315 

Four-Handed Sixty-six 318 

Laws oi Sixty-six 320 

Three-Handed Sixty-six 318 

SKAT 359 

Rules of Skat 374 

Two-Handed Skat 387 



lO CONTENTS, 

PAGE„ 

SLOBBERHANNES , 307 

SNIP-SNAP-SNOREM „ 355 

SOLITAIRES 437 

Napoleon 442 

Nidgi Novgorod 438 

Pistols and Coffee for Two , 439 

The Excelsior 440 

The Hopeful 439 

The Old Patience 442 

SOLO 545 

Four-Handed Solo 546 

Three-Handed Solo 549 

SPECULATION 280 

SPOIL-FIVE 252 

Forty-five 259 

Jinks 259 

Laws of Spoil-Five 257 

Twenty-five 255 

SPOT 388 

THIRTEEN AND THE ODD 555 

TAROT 419 

TEN PINS 474 

THE EARL OF COVENTRY 349 

THIRTY-ONE 359 

TRIC-TRAC (Backgammon) 420 

VINGT-UN 275 

Rules of Vingt-Un 2^^ 

WHIST II 

Bridge Whist 108 

Cavendish's Rules for Leading 55 

Double Dummy Whist 104 

Dummy Bridge Whist 115 

Dummy Whist 104 

Duplicate Bridge Whist 114 

Duplicate Whist loi 

French Whist 555 

Laws of Whist 41 

Pocket Guide to Whist 66 

Rhyming Rules 40 

Rules for Play 18 

Rules American Whist League 95 

Signalling 86 

Solo Whist 105 

Technical Terms « 12 

The Whist Primer 80 

Three-Handed Solo Whist 107 



WHIST. 

BY WILLIAIvl POIiE), 



Whist is a well-known game at cards^ which requires great attention 
and silence : hence the name. It is played by four persons, who cut the 
cards for partners. The two highest and the two lowest are together, 
and the partners sit opposite to each other. The person who cuts the low- 
est card is to deal first. In cutting, the ate is lowest. 

Each person has a right to shuffle the cards before the deal ; but it is 
usual for the elder hand only, and the dealer after. 

The pack is then cut by the right-hand adversary ; and the dealer dis- 
tributes the cards, one by one, to each of the players, beginning with the 
person who sits on his left-hand, till he comes to the last card, which he 
turns up, being the trump, and leaves on the table till the first trick is 
played. 

The person on the left-hand side of the dealer is called the elder hand, 
and plays first ; whoever wins the trick, becomes elder hand, and plays 
again ; and so on, till the cards are played out. 

The tricks belonging to each party should be turned and collected by 
the respective partner of whoever wins the first trick. 

All above six tricks reckon toward the game. 

The ace, king, queen, and knave of trumps, are called honors ; and if 
three of these honors have been played between, or by either of the two 
partners, they reckon for two points toward the game ; and if the four 
honors have been played between, or by either of the two partners, they 
reckon for four points toward the game. 

The game consists of ten points. 

No one, before his partner has played, may inform him that he has, or 
has not, won the trick : even the attempt to take up a trick, though won, 
before the last partner has played, is deemed very improper. 



12 WHIST, 

No intimations of any kind, during the play of the cards, between part- 
ners, are to be admitted. The mistake of one party is the gain of the 
other. There is, however, one exception to this rule, which is in case of 
a revoke. If a person does not follow suit, or trumps a suit, the partner 
is at liberty to inquire of him, whether he has none of that suit in his 
hand. This indulgence must have arisen from the severe penalties an- 
nexed to revoking, which affects the partners equally, and is now gener- 
ally admitted. 

EXPLANATION OF TECHNICAL TERMS USED IN THE 
MODERN SCIENTIFIC GAME. 

Bring in.— See Establish. 

Command. — You are said to have the command of a suit when you 
hold the best cards in it. If you have sufficient of them to be able to 
draw all those in the other hands (as would probably be the case if you 
had ace, king, queen, and two others), the command is complete ; if not, 
it may be only partial or temporary. Commanding cards are the cards 
which give you the command. 

Conventional Signals are certain modes of play designed purposely, 
by common consent, for the object of conveying information to your part- 
ner. The principle was sanctioned by Hoyle, and several of them are es- 
tablished and legalized in the modern scientific game ; as, for example, the 
signal for trumps ; the return of the highest from a short suit ; playing 
the lowest of a sequence ; discarding the highest of a suit of which you 
have full command, and so on. 

Discard. — The card you throw away when you have none of the suit 
led, and do not trump it. In the modem game, your first discard should 
be from a short or weak suit. 

Establish. — A suit is said to be established when you hold the com 
plete command of it. This may sometimes happen to be the case orig' 
inally, but it is more common to obtain it in the course of the play by 
*' clearing" away the cards that obstructed you, so as to remain with the 
best in your hand. It is highly desirable to establish your long suit as 
soon as you can, for which purpose not only your adversaries' hands, but 
also your partner's, must be cleared from the obstructing cards. 

When your suit is once established, if the adversaries' trumps are out, 
and you can get the lead, it is obvious you may make a trick with every 
card of it you hold ; and this is called bringing it in. 

The establishment and bringing in of long suits form the gjeat distin- 
g:uishing features of the modem scientific game. 



WHIST. 



»3 



False card is a card played contrary to the established rules or con- 
ventions of the game, and which therefore is calculated to deceive youi 
partner as to the state of your hand ; as, for example, following suit will? 
the highest or middle card of a sequence, or throwing away other than 
your lowest card. The play of false cards without very good reason is 
characteristic only of hopelessly bad players. 

Finessing is an attempt, by the third player, to make a lower card 
answer the purpose of a higher (which is usually his duty to play) under 
the hope that an intermediate card may not lie to his left hand. Thus, 
haying ace and queen of your partner's lead, yon finesse the queen, hop- 
ing the fourth player may not hold the king. Or if your partner leads a 
knave, and you hold the king, you may finesse or pass the knave, t\ e.^ 
play a small card to it, under the hope that it may force the ace. The 
word is sometimes applied to cases where it is cej'tai?i the inferior card 
will answer the purpose intended ; as, for example, where the left hand 
has already shown weakness. But this is clearly a misuse of the term, 
for unless there is a risk of the card being beaten, it is only ordinary 
play, and can involve no finessing — properly so called. 

You are said to finesse against the intermediate card, and sometimes 
also against the person who holds it ; but as by the nature of the case it 
should be unknown where the card lies, the latter meaning is apt to cre- 
ate confusion. The person against whom you act is more correctly the 
fourth player. 

Forcing means obliging your partner or your adversary to trump a 
trick, by leading a suit of which they have none. 

Guarded second, or second-best guarded, is the combination of 
the second-best card for the time being, with a small one to guard it 
against being taken by the best ; as, for example, king and a small one 
originally, or knave and a small one when the ace and queen have been 
played. 

This combination is an important one, having an advantage analogous 
to that of the tenace ; namely, that if the suit is led by your left-hand 
adversary, you are certain (bar trumping) to make your second-best card. 

Honors are the ace, king, queen and knave of trumps ; the term, 
however, is often applied to the same cards in plain suits. The ten and 
nine are sometimes called semi-honors. 

Leading through, or up to. — The person who leads is said to leac^ 
through his left hand adversary, and up to his right hand one, such 
being the direction in which the play runs. 

Long cards are cards remaining in one hand when all the rest of thpt 
suit have been played. 



14 WHIST. 

Long suit. — One of which you hold more than three cards. See • 
Strength. / 

Loose card means a card in hand of no value, and consequently the 
fittest to throw away. 

Make. — To make a card means simply to win a trick with it. 

Master card, or best card, means the highest card in at the time. 
Thus, if the ace and king were out, the master card would be the queen, 
This is sometimes also called the "king card," a name likely to cause 
confusion. 

Opening. — Term borrowed from chess, to denote the system on which 
you commence or open your game when you get your first lead. 

Plain suits are the three suits not trumps. 

Re-entry. — A card of re-entry is one that will, by winning a trick, 
bring you the lead at an advanced period of the hand. 

Renounce. — When a player has none of the suit led he is said to re- 
nounce that suit. 

Revoke. — If he fails to follow suit when he has any of the suit, he re- 
vokes^ and incurs a serious penalty. 

Ruffing is another word for trumping a suit of which you have none. 

Score. — The counting or marking of the progress of the game. At- 
tention to the score, which is very necessary in playing, refers not only to 
the progress, but also to the prospects of the game, as evidenced by the 
tricks made and honors held in the current hand. 

Seesaw, or saw, is when each of two partners ruffs a different suit, so 
that they may lead alternately into each other's hand. 

Sequence. — Any number of cards in consecutive order, as king, queen, 
and knave. The ace, queen, and ten would form a sequence if the king 
and knave were out. 

A tierce is a sequence of three cards ; a quart of four ; and a quint of 
five. 

A head sequenee is one standing at the head of the suit in your 
hand, even though it may not contain the best card. A subordinate 
sequence is one standing lower down, and it is an intermediate sequence 
if you hold cards both higher and lower. 

Short suit. —One of which you hold originally not more than three 
cards. See Strength, 

Signal for Trumps.— Throwing away unnecessarily and contrary to 
ordinary play, a high card before a low one, is called the signal for 
trumps, or asking for trumps ; being a command to your partner to lead 
trumps the first opportunity — a command which, in the modern scientific 
game, he is bound to obey, whatever his own hand may be. 



WHIST. I J 

SnCGLETON. — A French name for one card only of a suit.* 

Strength, Strong Suit, Strong Hand. — These are terms which 
it is highly essential to have clearly defined, as their interpretation lies at 
the root of the theory of the modem scientific game. 

The cards of any suit contained in your hand may vary in two different 
ways : as regards number, and as regards rank. 

As regards number of cards — as there are thirteen cards to divide 
among four persons, it is clear that three cards or less will be under the 
average, while four cards or more will be over the average due to each 
person. 

Again, as to rank, the middle card of a suit is the eight ; any cards 
you hold above this may be considered high cards; any below, low 
cards. 

Now, it has been the habit to use the terms strength and weakness^ as 
applied indiscriminately to either number or rank — a practice which, 
though no doubt it may be defended analogically, is yet calculated to 
cause great confusion in the mind of the student, inasmuch as the two 
things must be very differently regarded in any scientific system of play. 
If, for example, a strong suit has been spoken of, it might mean either 
one in which you possess a large number of cards (as, say, the two, three, 
four, five, six, and seven), or in which you hold only a few very high 
ones, as, say, ace, king, and queen ; the former being numerical strength, 
the latter strength of rank. 

This twofold meaning has, however, become so firmly implanted in 
Whist nomenclature that it would be useless to attempt to eradicate it. 
All we can do is to endeavor to get a little more perspicuity by using as 
much as possible the term long suit to indicate strength in numbers, leav- 
ing the word strong to apply chiefly to high cards. 

Thus any suit of which you hold four or more will be called a long 
suit, being longer than the average. Any suit of three or less will be 
called a short suit, being shorter than the average. 

When we speak of a strong suit, we shall generally refer to one con- 
taining cards of a higher than average rank, and of a weak suit the con- 
trary. 

A long suit will naturally have a greater chance of containing high 
cards than a short one, and this is probably the reason why the confusion 
of terms has arisen. 

A strong hand is difficult to define, further than as one likely t« 

♦ The learned author is in error in regard to the derivation of Singletoa 
vfeick >» aot French, but English.—EoiTOit. 



r6 WHIST. 

make many tricks ; a weak one the contrary. The terms are often mis- 
used when parts of the hand only are referred to ; as, for example, when 
you are advised to "lead up to the weak hand," which merely refers to 
a hand weak in the particular suit you lead. 

Strengthening play is getting rid of high cards in any suit, the 
effect of which is to give an improved value to the lower cards of that 
suit still remaining in, and so to strengthen the hand that holds them. 
Strengthening play is most beneficial to the hand that is longest in 
the suit. 

Tenace. — A tenace, in modem Whist,* is understood to mean the 
combination, in the same hand, of the best and third best card for the 
time being of any suit ; as, for example, the ace and queen originally, 
or the king and ten when the ace and knave have been played. 

The advantage of this combination is that, if you are fourth player in 
the suit, you will certainly (bar trumping) make two tricks in it ; and it 
is therefore much to your interest that the suit should be led by your left- 
hand adversary. 

The word has nothing to do with ten and ace ; it probably comes from 
the Latin tenax^ the policy being to hold back the suit containing the 
tenace rather than to lead it. 

A MINOR tenace is the combination of the second and fourth best 
cards. 

Under-play usually signifies keeping back best cards, and playing 
subordinate ones instead. This is sometimes advantageous in trumps, 
or in plain suits when strong in trumps, or when trumps are out ; but it 
requires care and judgment to avoid evil consequences from deceiving 
your partner, and from having your best cards subsequently ruffed. 

Weakness, Weak Suit. See Strength. 

On the Management of Trumps. — The treatment of trumps is a 
great puzzle to ill-taught players, who generally use them in the wildest 
and most unskilful way. To play them in detail to the best advantage 
always requires much judgment, even in the most educated ; but the 
general principles of their management are easily and clearly determined 
by our theory, as we shall endeavor to show. 

Trumps may be used for three distinct purposes— namely : 

I. To play as ordinary or plain suits. This use, however, ignores their 
higher or special value, and ought therefore to be made quite subordinate 
to the other two. 

♦ The old writers use this word as referring rather to i\ie position than th© 
cards ; but the meaning in the text is the more modern one. 



WHIST. 



17 



2. To make tricks by trumping. 

3. To aid in making your own or your partner's long suits or high 
cards. 

The theory -we have enunciated points clearly to the third use of 
trumps as the highest and most scientific, and accordingly this applica- 
tion of them is always the most prominent in the scientific game. It is 
obvious that the chief obstacle to making long suits is their being trumped 
by the adversary ; and that therefore the advantage will be with that 
party who, having predominant strength in trumps, can succeed in draw- 
ing those of the adversaries. 

For this reason, whenever you have Jive trumps^ whatever they are, 
or whatever the other components of your hand, you should lead them ; 
for the probability is that three, or at most four, rounds will exhaust 
those of the adversaries, and you will still have one or two left to bring 
in your own or your partner's long suits, and to stop those of the enemy. 
And notice, that it is numerical strength of trumps that is most import- 
ant for this purpose, so that you must not be deterred from leading them, 
even if all five should be small ones ; for in this case probably your part- 
ner will hold honors, and even if the honors are all against you, you will 
probably soon bring down two together. 

Management of Plain Suits.— Long Suit Lead. We will show 
the general application of the scientific theory to the play of suits not 
trumps, or, as they are called, plain suits. 

Supposing you have first lead, not being very strong in trumps, but 
having a long suit in your hand. Adhering to the established mode of 
*' opening," you lead from your long suit, thereby at once informing 
your partner what is the chief component of your hand. He will recollect 
this, and as it is his duty to return your lead hereafter, and your interest 
to persevere in your suit, you will have the opportunity of " making " any 
good cards in it which the joint hands may contain, and you may prob- 
ably after three rounds be left with one or two long cards of it in your 
own hand. These long cards will then become very valuable ; if the 
trumps can be extracted from the adverse hands, and you can get the 
lead, either by a trump or a card of re-entry, they will make certain 
tricks : if any trumps remain against you, the long cards may be made 
powerful weapons of offence by forcing them out ; so that in either case 
the system of play will be advantageous for you. 

Next comes the question, What card should you lead from your long 
suit ? To answer this fully would involve more detail than we piupose 
to go into here, but there are some prominent considerations that will 
serve ai: guides for general practice. 



ffS WHIST. 

Af an abstract principle, it is not good to part with your high cards ai 
first, as it is very desirable to retain the complete command of the suit at 
a later period. Suppose, for instance, you hold ace, king, and three 
small ones ; the most advantageous lead (if it were not for a considera* 
tion we shall enter into by and by) would be a small one : for on the sec- 
ond round you would have the complete command with your ace and 
king, being able probably thereby to draw all the others and pursue your 
wit to the end. When you have such command, your suit is said to be 
established^ and it is evidently advantageous for you to get this effected 
as early as you possibly can. This principle would, therefore, dictate that 
your first lead should generally be the lowest of your suit. 

But there is a circumstance which considerably modifies the application 
of this principle in practice— that is, the risk of the suit being ruffed by 
the adversaries ;— on which account it is advisable to depart in some 
measure from it for the sake of making your winning cards early. Thus 
In the above hand of ace, king, and three small ones, if you were to 
begin with the smallest, reserving your two high cards for the second and 
third rounds, you would probably have one of them trumped ; for which 
reason it is good policy to play them out first, at the risk of delaying the 
establishment of your suit. 

The first-named principle will, however, always apply for leading 
trumps, and also for plain suits when trumps are out, as the motive for 
fhe departure from it then no longer exists. 

There is also another kind of exception from beginning with the low- 
est, but which directly tends to promote the early establishment of your 
suit ; namely, when you have a high sequence, such as Q. Kn. lo, at the 
head of your hand. In this case your endeavor should be to force out 
the higher cards, for which purpose you lead the highest of your sequence, 
say the queen, which will be almost sure to force out either the ace or 
long ; if the other is also against you, you may, on another round, bring 
it out with the knave, leaving you then with the best card and probably 
with the entire command. 



RULES AND DIRECTIONS FOR PLAY. 

Many collections of Rules, carried out in considerable detail, will be 
found in the best modem works on Whist ; but it will be useful to give 
here a short summary of the principal ones, arranged in a convenient 
form for reference. 

It must b» '^plained that among such rules are included many whicb 



WHIST, ig 

have no direct reference to the theory of the game, but are matters oi de« 
tail, providing for vrhat we may call the accidents of play. 

SUMMARY OF RULES AND DIRECTIONS FOR PLAY. 

The principles on which most of these rules are based will be found in 
the foregoing theoretical considerations. Some further explanations, to- 
gether with notes of exceptions and other useful remarks, are appended . 

The Lead. — Let your first or principal lead be from your best long 
suit. 

If you have two suits, each of more than three cards, you may pre- 
fer the one which is strongest in high cards ; but always avoid, if 
possible, an original lead from a suit of less than four. 

Holding in this suit ace and king^ lead king first, then ace. 

This is preferable to beginning with the ace, as it may sometimes 
convey useful information. No good partner would trump your 
king led. 

If you hold ace, king, queen, lead king first, then queen, for the 
same reason. 

Holding king and queen^ lead king. 

And, if it wins, a small one, as the ace ought to be with your 
partner. 

Holding king^ queen ^ knave ^ ten^ lead the lowest of the sequence, 
to induce your partner to put on the ace, if he has it, and leave you 
with the command. 

Holding ace^ queen ^ knave ^ lead ace, then queen. 

So as to obtain the command with .the knave. If your partner 
holds the king, he ought to put it on the queen (if he can trust your 
leading from a long suit), so as not to obstruct your establishment of 
the suit. 

Holding ace and four others (not including king, or queen with knave), 
lead ace, then a small one. 

To prevent the chance of your ace being trumped second round. 

Holding queen ^ knave ^ ten, or knave ^ ten^ nine^ at the head of your 
suit, lead the highest. 

It is an old and well-known rule to "lead the highest of a se- 
quence." But like many other rules, when the reason of it is not 
comprehended, it is often totally misunderstood and misapplied. 



20 WHIST. 

I he object of dokig this is to prevent your partner from putting cm 
tne next highest, if he has it ; but there are many cases where you 
o«ght to desij-e him to put it on, and where, consequently, the lowest 
ou^ht to be played — as, for example, when you hold a quart to a 
king, as before directed. In a general way the rule should apply 
only to a high sequence heading the suit in your own hand, and not 
to low or subordinate sequences, to lead the highest of which would 
only deceive your partner without doing you any good. See an ex- 
ample in the note to the following rule, and also remarks on the 
trump ledd. 

In other cases lead the lowest card of your suit. 

If you hold king, knave, ten, nine, and a small one, lead the nine ; 
if king, knave, ten, and others, the ten. These are exceptional com- 
binations. 

If trumps are out before you open your suit, you should lead differently, 
keeping back your high cards. 

See the rules for trump leads, which apply in a great measure to 
this case also. 

Lead your own long suit, if you have one, before you return yom 
partner's. 

Unless you happen to hold the master-card in your partner^s suit, 
which you should part with as early as you can, to get it out of your 
partner's way, and prevent his imagining it is against him. 

In returning your partner's lead, if you held not more than three 
cards, of the suit originally, always return the highest you have left. 

To strengthen his hand, and as a conventional signal. If you 
originally held four, return the lowest, unless you have the master- 
card, which play out at once^ as before directed. Also, if you happen 
to have discarded one of the four, play as if you had held only three. 

It is good to lead a suit in which your right hand adversary is weak^ 
•r your left hand strong. 

I. e.y lead up to the weak suit, or through the strong one. On 
this principle avoid, if possible, returning your partner's suit, if you 
have won his lead cheaply. 

(Indication of strength is given by the lead — of weakness by thf 
play of third and fourth hand^ and by the discard.) 



WHIST, 21 

If obliged to lead from a suit of less than four cards, the general rule 
is to lead the highest. 

To inform your partner. If you have any reason to know he is 
long in the suit, the riile admiis of no exception ; but if you are 
doubtful on this point, it may be taken with some reserve. For ex- 
ample, if you hold an honor and twc small cards in a suit respecting 
which no indication has yet been p:iven, to lead the honor might not 
only throw away a chance of making it, but strengthen one of your 
adversaries. 

Avoid leading a suit which one adversary ruffs, and the other dis 
cards to. 

Unless you are sure of forcmg the strong trump hand. 

Toward the end of the hand it may often win you an extra trick i 
avoid leading from a tenace or a " guarded second," and to try and indiiOfe 
your left-hand adversary to lead that suit for you. 

This is one of the points in which 7f;z^ play is best shown. 

Second Hand. — The general ruie for the second hand is to play your 
lowest. 

For your partner has a good chance of winning the trick ; and the 
strength being on your right, it is good to reserve your high cards 
. (particularly tenaces, such as ace and queen) for the return of the 
lead, when you will become fourth player. 

With one honor and one small card the best players adhere to this 
rule. 

The following are some of the most usual exceptions to this rule : 
Holding Ace and King, put on King. 

** King and Queen, *' Queen. 

*' Ace, Queen, Knave, " Knave. 
Ace, Queen, ten, " Queen. 



(t 



Also, if you have two high cards in sequence (as queen and knave, or 
knave and ten), with only one other ; or if you have three high cards in 
sequence with any number, it is generally considered right to play the low- 
est of the sequence second hand. 

To help your partner in case of the third hand being weak. There 
is, however, some danger of this being mistaken for the signal fof 
trumps, and your partner must be on his guard. 



M WHIST. 

The second round of a suit, it is generally right to win the trick, second 
hand, if you hold the best card. 

Great strength in trumps, however, which always warrants a back- 
ward game, may sometimes justify you in leaving it to your partner, 
particularly as you thereby keep the command of the adversary's suit. 

If an honor is led, you should generally put a higher honor upon it. 

But if you are strong in the suit, you may husband your strength 
and play a small one. 

Do not trump a doubtful trick second hand if strong in trumps : if 
//eak, trump fearlessly. 

Third Hand. — The general rule for the third hand is to play the 
highest you have. 

In order not only to do your best to win the trick, but to strengthen 
your partner's long suit, by getting the high cards out of his way. 
If you have a head sequence, remember to play the lowest of it. 

This rule is subject, however, to the peculiar attribute of the third hand 
as x^gBxds finessing. 

To know how to finesse properly requires great judgment and ex- 
perience, but there are a few useful rules of general application : 

a. The first-time round of a suit, if you hold ace and queen, you 
always play the queen. 

b. With this exception, it is wrong in principle to finesse in your 
partner's long suit, as he wants the high cards out of his way. If 
you see that he leads from weakness, or if he leads you strengthen- 
ing cards in your own long suit, you may finesse more freely. 

c. It is dangerous to finesse the second-time round of a suit, as 
the chances are it will be trumped the third time. 

d. If, however, you are strong in trumps, you may finesse much 
more freely, as your trumps may enable you to bring your high 
cards in. 

e. With minor tenace it is generally proper to finesse the second 
round, as the best card must probably be to your left ; and if the 
third best is there also, both your cards must be lost in any case. 

y. It is of no use to finesse if the previous play has shown that the 
intermediate card, against which you finesse, does not lie to your 
right ; for in that case it must be either with your partner or your 
left-hand adversary, in either of which cases finessing is obviously 
useless. 



WHIST. 



9% 



^, The advisableness or not of finessing in certain cases late in tha 
ftand, is often determined by the fall of the cards or the state of the 
score ; e. j^.^ when you particularly want one trick to win or save the 
game, or if, from what you know of your partner's or opponents' 
cards, you see you can only get one, it would be wrong to finesse for 
the chance of gaining two. 

Be careful to wat^:h the fall of the cards from your left-hand neighbor, 
in order that, if he proves weak in a suit, you- m: y avoid wasting high 
cards when small oi^es would suffice to win the trick ove" him. This is 
very necessary, as your partner is often likely to lead up to the weak hand. 

Fourth Hand.— In this you have in most cases little to do but to win 
the trick as cheaply as you can. 

And recollect, if you do win it cheaply, it may afford you a hint 
for a good lead when you are in want of one. 

Cases sometimes arise, however, towards the dose of the hand, where 
it is advisable not to win the trick. 

As, for example, when by not doing so you can force youi- left- 
hand adversary to lead up to your tenace or guarded second. 

There are also cases in which it is advisable to win a trick already youx 
partner's. 

As, for example, to get high obstructing cards out of his way, oi 
to enable you to lead up to a weak hand, or otherwise to alter the 
position of the lead. 

Management of Trumps.— If you have five or more tmmps always 
lead them, or signal to your partner to do so.* 

As explained in the foregoing theoretical remarks. 

A trump lead from four may be warranted by strength, either of your 
own hand or your partner's in other suits, but always requires judgment 
and care. 

But if you have a long suit to bring in, it is generally best, with 
four trumps, to lead the plain suit first. 

* Good players are sometimes more cautious in asking for trumps than ii 
leading them. The rule given by c>ie of the best modem authorities is. not U 
ask for trumps unless you hold four with two honors, or five with one honor, 
together with good cards in one of the hands. It is simpler, however, for learn' 
ers to adhere to the rule always to lead or ask for trumps whmi thef hold five. 



H 



WHIST. 



A tramp lead from three or less is seldom wise, being: only justifiable 
by great strength in all other suits, or by special necessity, such as stop* 
ping a cross ruff, etc. 

You must not lead trumps simply because your long suit is trumped, 
for if your adversaries are strong in them, you will only be playing 
their game. 

The proper card to lead from your own strong suit of trumps Taries \ 
little from that of common suits. 

For the latter is influenced by the chance of being ruffed, from 
which the trump suit is free. 

For this reason, unless you have commanding strength enough to 
disarm the adversaries at once, you play a more backward game, 
generally leading your lowest, to give the chance of the first trick to 
your partner. 

I^ is also very often advantageous to reserve a high trump to giye 
you the lead the third tim: round, as in case of adverse strength of 
trumps remaining against you, it may enable you to force it with 
much advantage. 

If you have ace^ king^ queen^ or any other commanding sequence, 
lead the lowest of them first, and then the next lowest, and so on, to 
inform your partner. 

If you have ace^ ki?tgy knave of trumps, it is good to lead the king 
and then stop, waiting for the return :f the lead in order to finesse 
the knave. 

If your partner asks for trumps, you are bound to lead them, and if he 
Seads them you are bound to return them, the first opportunity. 

Remembering in either case, if you had not more than three, tc 
play your highest^ in order to strengthen his hand. 

In inferring that your partner has asked for trumps, reccllect that 
there are cases in which he may have necessarily played the highef 
card first : in the trump signal it must be played unnecessariiy. 

Never lead through an honor turned up, unless you otherwise want 
trumps led. On the other hand, do not hesitate to lead upxoan honcn^ 
if yoo are strong in them. 

As explained at page 

1fe« may finesse in trumps much more deeply than In plain 
As master cards must ultimately make. 



WHIST. 



25 



ftuff freely when weak m trumps, but not when strocig. 

See directions for the Second Hand. 

It may often be advisable when strong: in trumps even to refuse to 
trump a trick which is certainly against you, as your trumps will 
ultimately make, and you may perhaps discard advantagfeously. If 
you see your partner do this, he will probably want tramps led, and 
yc/u must carefully avoid forcing him. 

Do not force your partner if weak in trumps yourself.* 

At least, not until you have ascertained it will do him no In jury ; 
for your weakness renders it probable he may be strongs, when forc- 
ing may be the worst inj 7 you could do. 

On the other hand, force a strong trump hand of the adversary when- 
ever you can. 

Whenever you are not strong enough to lead trumps, you are weak 
enough to force your adversary. 

If, when you or your partner are leading trumps, one adversary re- 
nounces, you should not generally continue the suit. 

As you would be expending two for one drawn. Your proper 
game is then to try and mak^ your and your partner*s trumps sepa- 
rately. 

It may, however, often be advisable, jven under this disadvantage, 
totally to disarm the adversary, you or your partner have cards or 
suits to bring in. In this case the renouncing hand should be led up 
to, rather than through. 

Similarly, if yoMV partner renounces trumps, it is generally advisable 
o go on. 

As you draw two trumps by expending one. 

If you are dealer, retain the turn-up card as long as you can. 

To inform your partner ; if not, recollect it, and notice when it 
tails. When, however, the adversaries are drawing trumps, it may 
sometimes be advisable to part with it unnecessarily, in order to 
make them believe you have no more. 

♦ One of the best modern players defines " four trumps with one honor ** as 
sufficient strength to warrant your forcing your partner. 



36 WHISt. 

General Directions.— Sort your cards carefully, both according tc 
suit and rank, and count the number of each suit 

This will greatly assist the memory. 

If not leading, always play the lowest of a sequence. 

This is one of the modem conventional rules by which information 
is conveyed to your partner as to the contents of your hand, and if 
you have an observant and educated partner it must be carefully ad^ 
hered to. 

Get rid of the commanding cards of your partner's long suit as soon 
AS possible. Retain those of the adversaries' suits as long as you conven- 
ently can. 

Discard generally from short or weak suits, not from long or strong 
ones. 

For the cards of the former are of very little use, while those of the 
latter may be very valuable. Besides, your first discard is generally 
a very important source of information to your partner. 

It is, however, sometimes worth while to break the rule for the sake 
of retaining a guard to an honor or second-best card, particularly in 
your adversaries' suits. 

When you have the entire command of any suit, it is a conventional 
signal for you to discard (when the opportunity arises) the best card^ in 
order to inform your partner. 

Thus, having ace, king, queen, and knave of a suit not led, you 
would discard the ace ; for it must be obvious that you would not do 
this unless you had others equally good behind. 

Discarding the second best generally intimates you have no more of 
that suit. 

You throw it away because it is not likely to make. 

Be careful in the management of your small cards. 

In order not to mislead your partner. Do not throw away care- 
lessly a three or four if you hold a two. 

When your partner first renounces a suit, call his attention to the fact. 

As it may save a revoke. 
Keep constantly in mind the desirableness of affording information t# 
your partner, of obtaining information as to his hand, and of playing tho 
hands jointly. 

This being the essence of the modem game. 



WHIST, 27 

Pay attention to the state of the scoi-e^ which ought often to influence 
your play. 

Remember that the third trick saves the game when honors are 
equal ; that the fifth saves it against two by honors, and the seventh 
against four by honors. Note also that the odd trick is twice as val- 
uable as any other, as it makes a difference of two to the score. 
Notice, further, when you are near winning the game, how many 
tricks are wanting for that purpose. 

In all these cases it may be expedient to modify the usual play ioi 
the sake of getting the trick you want in preference to speculating 
for more ; for when you particularly require one trick, it would be 
folly to risk it (by finessing, for example) in order to have the chance 
of gaining two. 

The state of the score may sometimes influence your whole plan. 
For example, if the adversaries are four, and you have a bad hand, 
you should lead your best trump, as before explained. 

Consider also the effect of the lead. 

It is often desirable to depart from the usual modes of play for the 
sake of gaining the lead, or of giving it to your partner. 

And it is also sometimes worth while even to throw away a trick in 
order to give the lead to one of your adversaries ; as, for example, 
to make them lead up to a tenace or guarded second. 

These two latter rules afford the principal opportunities for fine 
play. 

Do not be discouraged when sound play fails of success, which must 
often occur. 

INFERENCES. 

The following are some examples of the way in which inferences may 
be drawn from cards played : 

Play. Inference. 

I^ad. 

ijn the player's own first lead.) N.B. When there is an alterna- 
tive^ your own hand^ or the fall 
of the other cards ^ will often de- 
termine it. No account is here 
taken of the signal for trumps^ 
which will sometimes modify the 
inference to be drawn. 



28 



WHIST, 



Play. 



Any plain suit. 



Inference. 



Lead {continued). 



King. 

Ace, followed by queen. 
Ace, followed by a small one. 
Queea (plain suits). 



Does not hold it. 
Has no more. 



[In returning his partner'' s lead.) 

Does not lead out the master card. 
Any card, afterward dropping j 

lower one. 
Any card, afterward dropping a Has more 

higher one. 
{Generally.) 
Forces his partner. 
Refrains from doing so. 



Is the best in his hand; he holds 
four or more of it ; and has not 
five trumps. 

Holds also either queen or ace. 

Holds knave also. 

Had originally five or more. 

Holds also knave and ten ; but not 
ace or king. 



Is strong in trumps. 
Is weak in them. 



King (to small one led). 
Queen (ditto). 

Knave (ditto). 



Any smaller card. 
Trumps a doubtful trick. 
Does not trump it. 



Ace. 

Cannot win the trick. 
Wins it with any card. 



Second Player. 

Holds ace also, or no more. 

Holds king also, or ace and ten, 
or no more. 

Holds also queen and king, or 
queen and ace, or queen and one 
other only, or no more. 

Has none lower. 

Has not more than three trumps. 

Has more than three. 

Third Player. 

Holds neither king nor queen. 

Fourth Player. 

Has no card higher than the one 

against him. 
Has no card between this and the 

one against him. 



WHIST. 29 

Second^ Thirds or Fourth Player. 
r^ny card. Has not the one next below it. 

Refuses to trump a trick certainly Probably is strong in trumps, and 

against him. wants them led. 

Any discard, generally. Is weak in that suit. 

Discards the best of any suit. Has the next best and the full com- 

mand. 
Discards the second best. Has no more. 

Plays unnecessarily a higher card Signal for trumps. 

before a lower. 

When it is considered that several of these opportunities for inference 
will occur in every trick, it will cease to be a matter of wonder what a 
clear insight skilled and observant players will, after a few tricks, obtain 
into each other's hands. 

EXAMPLES OF HANDS. 

The following are a few simple hands played through. They are not 
intended to exemplify skill, for, as in almost all hands, the play might 
admit of modification according to the capabilities of the several players ; 
they have merely the object of illustrating the routine practice of some of 
the more common and important points in the modem game — such as 
the signal for trumps, forcing, the return of a suit, discarding, and so on. 

A and C are partners against B and D ; the attention being chiefly 
directed to the play of the two former. The reader is supposed to play 
the elder hand A. The winner of each trick is marked with an asterisk. 



y> 



wn^sz 



Example I. 

The object of this example is to illustrate the making of a long plain 
suit by the aid of your partner's long suit of trumps ; the trump le!ad 
being called for by signal. 





Hearts. Kg. 8, 6, 4, 2 
Spades. 6, 2. 
Diamonds. 9, 6, 3, % 
Clubs. A. 7. 


'. 


Hearts, A. Q. Kn. 
Spades. 8, 7, 5. 
Diamonds. A. 10. 
Clubs. Q. Kn. 10, 5, 
3. 




C 

Hearts Trumps. 

B D 

(Dealer) 

9 turned up. 

A 


Hearts, 9, 5, 3. 
Spades. Q. Kn. 
Diamonds. Kg, 
Kn. 8, 7. 

Clubs. 9, 4, 2e 




H 

Si 

D 


'earts, 10, 7. 
Dades. A. Kg. 10, 9, 
iamonds. 5, 4. 


4>3« 



Qubs. Kg. 8, 6. 



WHIST. 



31 



Trick. Play. 
I. *A King of Sp. 
B 5 

C 6 




Trick. PUy. 

V. B Q. of CI. 
*C A. " 

D2 

A 6 


Remark.— Having five tru 


mps, 

L not 

that 

and 

the 




C signals to have them led. P^ 
seeing the 2 fall, will know 
some one is asking for trumps, 
will therefore carefully watch 
next round. 

D Knave of Sp. 


VI. C 4 of H. 
D9 '* 
A4ofDi. 
*BA. ofH. 


II. *A Ace of Sp. 
B 7 

C2 

Remark.— Trump signal 
pleted. 


com- 


VII. B Kn. of CI. 
C7 
D4 
*A Kg. « 


D Q. of Sp. 










III. A 10 of H. 




VIII. *A 10 of Sp. 


Remark. — In obedience to trump 
signal. 

B Kn. of H. 

*CKg. - 
D3 


Remark. — A has now brought 
in his long suit, and pursues it to 
the end. C discards his diamonds. 
It is immaterial what the adver 
saries play 


IV. C2ofH. 
D5 • 
A 7 •' 
*B Q. " 


IX. *A9ofSp. 
X. *A4 •• 
XI. *A 3 * 
XII. *C6ofH. 
XIII. *C 8 •* 



The result is that A and C win a treble by cards against two by honoK 
*nd other considerable adverse strength. 



32 



WHIST. 



Example II. 

In this the elder hand (A) has the same long suit as before, but the 
strength in tmmps is now given to the adversaries. The example is in- 
tended to illustrate how a long suit, though it may not be brought in, 
may be made useful m/orcing the strong adverse trump hand. 

Hearts, Q. Kn. 5, 
Spades. 6. 

Diamonds. A. 8, 7, 3. 
Clubs. A Q. Kn. 7, 2. 





c 


Hearts, Kg. ic 


hearts. A, 9, 8. 


Hearts Trumps. 


4,2. 


Spades. 8, 7, 5, 2. 


B D 


Spades. Q. Kn. 


Diamonds. 9, 6, 2 


(Dealer) 


Diamonds. Kg, 


Clubs. 10,4,3. 


King turned up. 


Kn. 10. 




A 


Clubs. 9,5. 



Hearts, 7, 3. 
Spades. A. Kg. 
Diamonds. 5, 4. 
Clubs. Kg. 8, 6, 



*5, 9f 4» 3' 



WhiST. 



33 



Trick. Play. 

I. *A King of Sp. 
B 2 

C6 

DQ. 
Remark. — Commencement of 
signal for trumps. 

II. *A A. of Sp. 

Remark.— Better to go on with 
spades at the risk of being trumped 
than to open a new weak suit. 

B 5 of Sp. 

C 3 of Di. 

D Kn. of Sp. 
Remark. — Signal completed. 

III. A lo of Sp. 

Remark. — To force the adverse 
hand, which has, by asking for 
trumps, declared itself strong in 
them. 

B 7 of Sp. 

C 7 of Di. 
*D 2 of H. 

IV. D4ofH. 

A3 " 

*B A. " 

C 5 " 

Vc B 9 of H. 
C Kn. of H. 
*D Kg. " 
A 7 



VI. D 6 of H. 
A 4 of Di. 
B 8 of H. 
*CQ. - 



Trick. Play. 
VII. *C A. of CL 

D5 " 

A 6 " 
B3 



VIII. C Q. of CL 
D9 ** 
*A Kg. " 

Remark.— To get rid of the 
command. 

B 4 of CI. 



IX. AgofSp. 

Remark. — Repeating the force 
to extract the last trump. 

B 8 of Sp. 

C 8 of Di. 

*D 10 of H. 



D 10 of Di. 

A 5 " 

B2 " 

*CA. " 



XI. *C Kn. of CI. 

Remark.— The adverse trumps 
being now all forced out, C, hav- 
ing gained the lead by a card of re- 
entry, brings in his clubs, and makes 
them all. 

XII. *C 7 of CI. 
XIII. *C 2 " 



A and C gain 3 by cards. 



54 



WHIST, 



Example IlL 

The object of this is to illustrate the value of the discard as a 
of communicating information. 

Hearts. A. 9, 7, 6. 
Spades. 6, 2. 

Diamonds. Q. Kn. lO^ 9b 4* 
Clubs. 8, 3. 



Hearts. Q. 8, 5. 
Spades. Kn. 10, 4. 
Diamonds. A. 3, 
Clubs, A. Q. 9i 7, & 



C 

Hearts Trumps. 

B D 

(Dealer) 

xo turned up. 

A 



Hearts, Kn. 10, 3. 
Spades. 9, 8, 7. 
Diamonds. 8, 7, 6^ 2 
Clubs. Kn. zo^ 4. 



Hearts. Kg. 4, 2. 
Spades. A. Kg. Q* 5t 3* 
Diamonds. Kg, 5» 
Kg. 6b 5. 



WHJST. 



3S 



Trick. Play. 

L *A King of Sp. 

B4 
C2 

D7 



«( 



II. *A Q. of Sp. 
B lo *• 
C 6 " 
D 8 " 



III. *A A. of Sp. 
B Kn. " 
C 3 of CI. 

Remark.— This discard at once 
gives great insight into C's hand. 
He discards from his weak suit, 
and therefore he ought to be strong 
in trumps and diamonds. But he 
has not 5 trumps or he would have 
signalled for them, and hence, in 
all probability, he has at least 4 or 
5 diamonds. - 

D 9 of Sp. 



IV. A Kg. of Di. 

Remark.— The spade lead being 
now unadvisable, A is justified in 
acting on the information gained 
by his partner's discard, and leads 
\ strengthening diamond. 

*B A. of Di. 

C4 *' 

D2 " 



*B A, 
C8 
D4 
As 



of a. 



TridL Play. 
VI. B 2 of CI. 
C Q. of DL 

Remark.— This second discard 
completes the full information 2us to 
B's hand. In the first place, hav- 
ing passed a doubtful trick, he has 
more than three trumps, and, as we 
have seen, he has not five, he must 
have four with three diamonds. 
Secondly, his discarding the best 
diamond shows he has pNerfect com- 
mand of the suit remaining behind. 

D 10 of CI. 
♦A Kg. ** 

VII. *A Kg. of H. 

Remark.— Strengthening trump 
lead, justified by the knowle<ige 
gained in the last trick. 

B 5 of H. 
C6 " 
D3 " 



VIIL 



A4ofH, 
B8 " 
*C A. " 
Dio " 



IX. 



C 7 of H. 
D Kn. of H. 
A 2 
*B Q. " 



X. B Q. of CI. 

*C9of H. 

Remark. — Uses the last 
to bring in his diamonds. 

D Kn. of CI. 

A 6 



trump 



XI. *C 9ofDi. 
XII. *C 10 *' 
XIII. *C Kn. «' 



A and C win 4 by cards. 



36 



WHIST. 



Example IV. 

The object of this is to illustrate the advantage of returning: the ytoytk 
lard of your partner's lead, as a means of conveying information. 

Hearts, A. 9, 3, 2. 
Spades. A. Q. 6, 2. 
Diamonds. Kg. 5, 4, 
Clubs. 6, 3. 



Hearts, 8, 5, 4. 

Spades. Kn. 5. 
Diamonds. A. Q. 

8,3. 
Clubs. A. Kg:. 4. 



Kn. 



c 

Hearts Trumps. 

B D 

(Dealer) 

6 turned up. 

A 



Hearts, Kn. 6. 
Spades. 10, 9, 8, 7. 
Diamonds. 9, 6, 
Clubs. Q. 10, 9, I, a 



Hearts, Kg. Q. 10, 7^ 
Spades. Kg. 4, 3. 
Esmonds. lo, 7| So 
dubs. Kq.S,% 



WHIST. 



37 



Trick. Play. 
I. AyofH. 

Remark. — In this hand every 
plain suit is so bad to lead that the 
trump lead with such strength is 
quite justifiable. 

B 4 of H, 
♦CA, " 
D6 " 



II. 


C 2 of H. 






Remark.— From this 


card 


re- 


turned 


C must either have four 


or 


no more. 








D Kn. of H. 








*A Q. " 








B5 •• 







III. *A lo of H. 

Remark.— It is justifiable to take 
out another round of trumps, though 
two may fall for one ; partly to see 
how they lie, and partly to get a dis- 
card from some one as a guide for 
the next lead. Leading the lo in- 
stead of the King is an additional 
assurance to your partner that you 
have still one left. 

B 8 of H. 

C3 " 

Remark.— This card shows that 
C, having returned his lowest in 
the last trick, had four at first, and 
has consequently now one remain- 
ing, which therefore you are careful 
not to draw, as the game will de- 
pend on the two being made sepa- 
rately, 

D 6 of Di. 



Trick. 
IV. 



Play. 
A ID of Di, 



Remark.— For want of a better 
lead, you lead up to the suit that 
has been declared weak, 

B Kn. of Di. 
*C Kg. " 
D9 



V. 


C2 0f 


Sp, 




D7 


t< 




*AKr. 


of Sp. 




B5 


« 


VI. 


A 4 of 


Sp. 


Remark. — • See remark, next 


trick. 








B Kn 


of Sp. 




*cp. 


• c 




D8 


<( 



VII. *C A. of Sp. 
D9 

A3 ** 

Remark. — This shows that you 
(A), having returned your highest, 
had not more than three spades 
originally, and consequently have 
no more left. Your partner (C), 
therefore, observing this, sees that 
by leading the losing spade he will 
enable you to make your trump 
separately from his, which will win 
the game. 

B 4 of CI. 



VIII. C 6ofSp. 
D 10 *• 
*A Kg. of H. 

Remark.— You trump without 
hesitation, knowing your partner to 
hold the other trump. 

B 3 of Di. 



C makes the last trump, and A and 
2 by honors, winning a treblo^ 



C make 3 by cards aad 



38 



WHIST. 



Example V. 

This example is given to show how singularly, under extreme circum" 
•tances, the bringing in of a long suit may annihilate the most magnifi^ 
cent cards. The hand is a very remarkable Whist curiosity: A and C 
hold all the honors in every plain suit, and two honors in trumps, and 
yet do not make a single trick I 

Spades. Q. Kn. 

Diamonds. Kn. lo, 9, 8, 7, 6t 

Clubs. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 



Hearts, A. Q. 10, 8. 
Spades. 10, 9, 8, 7, 
6) 5» 4» 3i 2, 



C 

Hearts Trumps. 

B D 

(Dealer) 

2 turned up. 

A 



Hearts. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. 
Diamonds. 5, 4, 3, a. 
Clubs. 5, 4, 3i3. 



Hearts. Kg. Kn. 9, 7, 
Spades. A. Kg. 
Diamonds. A. Kg. Q, 
QuIm. a. Kg. Q. Kn. 



tVBlST. 



39 



Trick. Play. 
I. A 7 of H. 

Remark.— There can be no 
doubt about this being the proper 
lead. 

*B 8 of H. 
C 6 of CI. 
D 3 of H. 



II. 



B 2 of Sp. 
C Kn. *' 
«D 3 of H. 
A Kg. of Sp. 



III. D4ofH. 

Remark.— The propriety of this 
lead is often questioned ; but it is 
defended by the impolicy of leading 
either of the extremely weak plain 
suits, and by the lead of trumps being 
up to a renouncing hand, and, there- 
fore, the most favorable possible. 
Also, by giving B the lead again, it 
enables him to continue the spade 
for D to make his small trumps 
dpon. 

A 9 of H. 
*B lo •* 

C 7 of CI. 



Trick. 
IV. 



Play. 
B 3 of Sp. 

CQ. - 

•D 5 of H. 

A A. of Sp. 



D 6 of H, 
A Kn. '• 
*BQ. - 
C 8 of CI. 



VI. *B A. of H. 
A Kg. ** 



K 



VII. *B 10 of Sp, 

VIII. *B 9 

IX. *B 8 

X. *B 7 

XL *B 6 

XII. *B 5 

XIII. *B 4 



B aad D win every trick. 



40 



WHIST. 



RHYMING RULES, MNEMONIC MAXIMS, ANL S^CKKI 

PRECEPTS. 

BEING SHORT MEMORANDA OF IMPORTANT POINTS. TC BE KEPT IJ4 
MIND BY THOSE WHO WOULD PRACTICE THE MODERN SCIENTIF* 
IC GAME OF WHIST. 



If you the modem game of Whist would know, 
From this great principle its precepts flow : 
Treat your own hand as in your partner's joined, 
And play, not one alone, but both combined. 

Your first lead makes your partner understand 

What is the chief component of your hand ; 

And hence there is necessity the strongest 

That your first lead be from your suit thafs longest^ 

In this, with ace and king^ lead king^ then ace ; 
With king and queen^ king also has first place ; 
With ace^ queen ^ knave^ lead ace and then the queen ^ 
With ace ^ four small ones^ ace should first be seen ; 
With queen y knave ^ ten^ you let the queen precede ; 
In other cases, you the lowest lead. 
Ere you return your friend's your own suit play ; 
But trumps you must return without delay. 

When you return your partner's lead, take pains 
To lead him back the best your hand contains, 
If you received not mc ^^e than three at first ; 
If you had more, you may return the worst. 

But if you hold the master card^ you're bound 
In most cases to play it second round. 

Whene'er you want a lead, 'tis seldom wrong 
To lead up to the weak^ or through the strong. 

If second hand, your lozvest should be played, 
Unless you mean " trump signal " to be made ; 
Or if you've king and queen^ or ace and king^ 
Then one of these will be the proper thin^;. 



WHIST. 



41 



Mind well the rules for trumps^ youll often need them ; 
When you hold five, 'tis always right to lead them i 
Or if the lead won't come in time to you, 
Then signal to your partner so to do. 

Watch also for your partner's trump request, 

To which, with less than four ^ play out your besU 

To lead through honors turned up is bad play, 
Unless you want the trump suit cleared away. 

When, second hand, a doubtful trick you see, 

Don't trump it if you hold more trumps than three i 

But having three or less, trump fearlessly. 

When weak in trumps yourself, don't force your friend ; 
But always force the adverse strong trump hand. 

For sequences, stem custom has decreed 
The lowest you must play, if you don't lead. 
When you discard^ weak suits you ought to choosei 
For strong ones are too valuable to lose. 



THE LAWS OF WHIST. 

ACCORDING TO POLE. 



THE RUBBER. 



1. The rubber is the best of three games. If the first two games bt 
by the same players, the third game is not played. 

SCORING. 

2, A game consists of ^^ points. Each trick, above six, counts 
point 



42 WHIST, 

3. Honors, ?. ^., Ace, King, Queen, and Knave oi tnimpe, arc thtw 
reckoned ; 

If a player and his partner, either separately or conjointly, hold— 

I. The four honors, they score four points. 
11. Any three honors, they score two points. 
III. Only two honors, they do not score. 

(In the United States, it is gfetting to be more and more the custom to 
ignore honors entirely, and not to count them. The odd tricks win and 
honors do not count. Whist then becomes more a game of skill than of 
chance. — Ed.) 

4. If, however, the game of counting honors is agreed upon if four is 
scored, honors do not count by those having four honors. 

5. The penalty for a revoke takes precedence of all other scores. Tricks 
score next. Honors last. 

6. Honors, unless claimed before the trump card of the following deal 
is turned up, cannot be scored. 

7. To score honors is not sufficient ; they must be called at the end of 
the hand ; if so called, they may be scored at any time during the game. 

8. The winners gain — 

I. A treble, or game of three points, when their adversaries have 

not scored. 
II. A double, or game of two points, when their adversaries have 

scored less than three. 
III. A single, or game of one point, when their adversaries have 
scored three, or four. 

9. The winners of the rubber gain two points (commonly called the 
rubber points), in addition to the value of their games. 

10. Should the rubber have consisted of three games, the value of the 
losers* game is deducted from the gross number of points gained by their 
opponents. 

11. If an erroneous score be proved, such mistake can be corrected 
prior to the conclusion of the game in which it occurred, and such game 
is not concluded until the trump card of the following deal has been 
turned up. 

12. If an erroneous score, affecting the amount of the rubber, be 
proved, such mistake can be rectified at any time dv^ns: the rubberc 



WHIST. 



CUTTING. 



43 



13. The ace is the lowest card. 

14. In all cases, every one must cut from the same pack. 

15. Should a player expose more than one card, he must cut again. 



FORMATION OF TABLE. 

16. If there are more than four candidates, the players are selected by 
cutting : those first in the room having the preference. The four who cut 
the lowest cards play first, and again cut to decide on partners ; the two 
lowest play against the two highest ; the lowest is the dealer, who has 
choice of cards and seats, and, having once made his selection, must 
abide by it. 

17. When there are more than six candidates, those who cut the two 
next lowest cards belong to the table, which is complete with six players ; 
on the retirement of one of those six players, the candidate who cut the 
next lowest card has a prior right to any aftercomer to enter the table. 

CUTTING CARDS OF EQUAL VALUE. 

18. Two players cutting cards of equal value,* unless such cards are 
the two highest, cut again ; should they be the two lowest, a fresh cut is 
necessary to decide which of those two deals, f 

19. Three players cutting cards of equal value cut again ; should the 
fourth (or remaining) card be the highest, the two lowest of the new cut 
are partners, the lower of those two the dealer ; should the fourth card 
be the lowest, the two highest are partners, the original lowest the dealer4 

* In cutting for partners. 

t Example, A three, two sixes, and a knave are cut. The two sixes cut 
again, and the lowest plays with the three. Suppose at the second cut, the 
two sixes cut a king and a queen, the queen plays with the three. 

If at the second cut a lower card than the three is cut, the three still retains 
its privileges as original low, and has the deal and choice of cards and seats. 

$ Example. Three aces and a two are cut. The three aces cut again. The 
two is the original high, and plays with the highest of the next cut. 

Suppose at the second cut, two mor« twos and a king are drawn. The ki«g 
plays with the original two, and the other pair of twos cut again for deal. 

Suppose instead, the second cut to consist of an ace and two knaves. The 
tv^ knaves cut again, and th« highest plays with the two. 



44 



WHIST. 



CUTTINQ OUT. 



20. At the end of a rubber, should admission be claimed by any one, 
or by two candidates, he who has, or they who have, played a greater 
number of consecutive rubbers than the others is, or are, out ; but when 
all have played the same number, they must cut to decide upon the out* 
goers ; the highest are out. 

ENTRY AND RE-ENTRY. 

21. A candidate wishing to enter a table must declare such intention 
prior to any of the players having cut a card, either for the purpose of 
commencing a fresh rubber, or of cutting out. 

22. In the formation of fresh tables, those candidates who have neither 
belonged to nor played at any other table have the prior right of entry ; 
the others decide their right of admission by cutting. 

23. Any one quitting a table prior to the conclusion of a rubber, may, 
with consent of the other three players, appoint a substitute in his absence 
during that rubber. 

24. A player cutting into one table, whilst belonging to another, loses 
his right "^^ of re-entry into that latter, and takes his chance of rutting in, 
as if he were a fresh candidate, t 

25. If any one break up a table, the remaining players have t'le prior 
right to him of entry into any other, and should there not be sufficient 
vacancies at such other table to admit all those candidates, they settle 
their precedence by cutting. 

SHUFFLING. 

26. The pack must neither be shuffled below the table t»or so that the 
face of any card be seen. 

27. The pack must not be shuffled during the play of the hand. 

, 28. A pack, having been played with, must neither be shuffled, by 
dealing it into packets, nor across the table. 

29. Each player has a right to shuffle, once only, except as provided by 
Rule 32, prior to a deal, after a false cut, J or when a new dealg has 
occurred. 

30. The dealer's partner must collect the cards for the ensuing deal, 
and has the first right to shuffle that pack. 

♦ /. e.^ his prior right. t And last in the room {^ide Law 16). 

X Vide Law 34. § Vide Law 37, 



WHIST. 



45 



31. Each player, after shuffling, must place the cards, properly collected 
and face downward, to the left of the player about to deal. 

32. The dealer has always the right to shuffle last ; but should a card 
or cards be seen during his shuffling or whilst giving the pack to be cut, 
he may be compelled to re-shuffle. 



THE DEAL. 

33. Each player deals in his turn ; the right of dealing goes to the left, 

34. The player on the dealer's right cuts the pack, and in dividing it, 
must not leave fewer than four cards in either packet ; if in cutting, or in 
replacing one of the two packets on the other, a card be exposed,* or if 
there be any confusion of the cards, or a doubt as to the exact place in 
which the pack was divided, there must be a fresh cut. 

35. When a player, whose duty it is to cut, has once separated the pack, 
he cannot alter his intention ; he can neither re- shuffle nor re-cut the 
cards. 

36. When the pack it cut, should the dealer shuffle the cards, he loses 
his deal. 

A NEW DEAL. 

37. There must be a new deal t — 

I. If, during a deal, or during the play of a hand, the pack be 

proved incorrect or imperfect. 
IL If any card, excepting the last, be faced in the pack. 

38. If, whilst dealing, a card be exposed by the dealer or his partner, 
should neither of the adversaries have touched the cards, the latter can 
claim a new deal ; a card exposed by either adversary gives that claim to 
the dealer, provided that his partner has not touched a card ; if a new 
deal does not take place, the exposed card cannot be called. 

39. If, during dealing, a player touch any of his cards, the adversaries 
may do the same, without losing their privilege of claiming a new deal, 
should chance give them such option. 

40. If, in deaHng, one of the last cards be exposed, and the dealer turn 
up the trump before there is reasonable time for his adversaries to decide 
as to a fresh deal, they do not thereby lose their privilege. 

♦ After the two packets have been re-united. Law 38 comes into operation, 
t i. e,y the same dealer must deal again. Vide also Laws 47 and 50. 



46 WHIST, 

41. If a player, whilst dealing, look at the trump card, his adversaries 
bave a right to see it, and may exact a new deal. 

42. If a player take into the hand dealt to him a card belonging to the 
other pack, the adversaries, on discovery of the errot, may decide whethcA 
they will have a fresh deal or not. 

A MISDEAL. 

<3. A misdeal loses the deal.* 
i|4. It is a misdeal f — 

I. Unless the cards are dealt into four packets, one at a time in 
regular rotation, beginning with the player to the dealer*s 
left. 

II. Should the dealer place the last {i, e.^ the trump) card, face 
downward, on his own, or any othpjr pack. 

ni. Should the trump card not come in its regular order to the 
dealer ; but he does not lose his dea-l if the pack be proved 
imperfect. 

IV. Should a player have fourteen % cards, and either of the other 
three less than thirteen. § 

V. Should the dealer, under an impression that he has made a 
mistake, either count the cards on the table, or the remain- 
der of the pack. 

VI. Should the dealer deal two cards at once, or two cards to the 
same hand, and then deal a third ; but if, prior to deahng 
that third card, the dealer can, by altering the position of 
one card only, rectify such error, he may do so, except as 
provided by the second paragraph of this Law. 
VII. Should the dealer omit to have the pack cut to him, and the 
adversaries discover the error, prior to the ^rump card be- 
ing turned up, and before looking at their cards, but not 
after having done so. 

45. A misdeal does not lose the deal if, during the dealing, either of 
the adversaries touch the cards prior to the dealer's partner having done 
so ; but should the latter have first interfered with the cards, notwith- 
standing either or both of the adversaries have subsequently done the 
same, the deal is lost. 

* Except as provided in Laws 45 and 50. t Vide also Law j,6t 

X Or more. f The pack being perfect. Vide Law 47* 



WHIST. 



4? 



46. Should three players have their right number of cards — the fourth 
have less than thirteen, and not discover such deficiency until he has 
played any of his cards,* the deal stands good ; should he have played, 
he is as answerable for any revoke he may have made as if the missing 
card, or cards, had been in his hand ;t he may search the other pack for 
it, or them. 

47. If a pack, during or after a rubber, be proved incorrect or imper 
feet, such proof does not alter any past score, game, or rubber ; tha': 
hand in which the imperfection was detected is null and void ; the dealei 
deals again. 

48. Any one dealing out of turn, or with the adversary's cards, may 
be stopped before the trump card is turned up, after which the game must 
proceed as if no mistake had been made. 

49. A player can neither shuffle, cut, nor deal for his partner, without 
the permission of his opponents. 

50. If the adversaries interrupt a dealer whilst dealing, either by ques- 
tioning the bcore or asserting that it is not his deal, and fail to establish 
such claim, should a misdeal occur, he may deal again. 

51. Should a player take his partner's deal, and misdeal, the latter is 
liable to the usual penalty, and the adversary next in rotation to the 
player who ought to have dealt then deals. 

THE TRUMP CARD. 

52. The dealer, when it is his turn to play to the first trick, should take 
the trump card into his hand ; if left on the table after the first trick be 
turned and quitted, it is liable to be called ;| his partner may at any 
time remind him of the liability. (This law is never enforced. — Ed.) 

53. After the dealer has taken the trump card into his hand, it cannot 
be asked for ;§ a player naming it at any time during the play of that 
hand is liable to have his highest or lowest trump called.] 

54. If the dealer take the trump card into his hand before it is his turn 
:o play, he may be desired to lay it on the table ; should he show a wrong 
card, this card maybe called, as also a second, a third, etc., until th« 
trump card can be produced. 

* /. ^., until after he has played to the first trick- 

t Vide also Law 70, and Law 44. 

t It is not usual to call the trump card if left on the tabl^ 

I Any one may inquire what the trump suit is, »t any tim*. 

. in the manner described in Law. 



48 WHIST. 

55. If the dealer declare himself unable to recollect the trump card, his 
highest or lowest trump may be called at any time during that hand, and, 
\inless it cause him to revoke, must be played ; the call may be repeated, 
but not changed, i, e.^ from highest to lowest, or vice versd^ until such 
tard is played. 

CARDS LIABLE TO BE CALLED. 

56. All exposed cards are liable to be called, and must be left * on the 
table ; but a card is not an exposed card when dropped on the floor, or 
elsewhere below the table. 

The following are exposed f cards : 

I. Two or more cards played at once.t 
II. Any card dropped with its face upwards, or in any way ex- 
posed on or above the table, even though snatched up so 
quickly hat no one can name it. 

57. If any one play to an imperfect trick the best card on the table,§ or 
lead one which is a winning card as against his adversaries, and then 
lead again,! or play several such winning cards, one after the other, with- 
out waiting for his partner to play, the latter may be called on to win, if 
he can, the first or any other of those tricks, and the other cards thus im- 
properly played are exposed cards. 

58. If a player, or players, under the impression that the game is lost 
—or won — or for other reasons — throw his or their cards on the table face 
upward, such cards are exposed, and liable to be called, each player's by 
the adversary ; but should one player alone retain his hand, he cannot be 
forced to abandon it. 

59. If all four players throw their cards on the table face upwards, the 
hands are abandoned ; and no one can again take up his cards. Should 
this general exhibition show that the game might have been saved or 
won, neither claim can be entertained, unless a revoke be established. 

♦ Face upwards. 

+ Detached cards (/. e.^ cards taken out of the hand but not dropped) are not 
liable to be called unless named ; vide Law 60. It is important to distinguish 
between exposed and detached cards. 

% If two or more cards are played at once, the adversaries have a right to call 
which they please to the trick in course of play, and afterward to call tlul 
•thers. 

S And then lead without waiting for his partner to play. 
I Without waiting for his partner to play* 



WHIST. 



49 



The revoking players are th«n liablt to the following penalties : they can- 
not under any circumstances win the game by the result of that hand, 
and the adversaries may add three to their score, or deduct three from 
that of the revoking players. 

60. A card detached from the rest of the hand so as to be named is 
liable to be called ; but should the adversary name a wrong card, he is 
liable to have a suit called when he or his partner have the lead.* 

61. If a player, who has rendered himself liable to have the highest or 
lowest of a suit called, fail to play as desired, or if when called on to lead 
one suit, lead another, having in his hand one or more cards of that suit 
demanded, he incurs the penalty of a revoke. 

62. If any player lead out of turn, his adversaries may either call the 
card erroneously led — or may call a suit from him or his partner when it 
is next the turn of either of them f to lead. 

63. If any player lead out of turn, and the other three have followed 
him, the trick is complete, and the error cannot be rectified ; but if- only 
the second, or the second and third, have played to the false lead, their 
cards, on discovery of the mistake, are taken back ; there is no penalty 
against any one, excepting the original offender, whose card may be 
called — or he, or his partner, when either of them X has next the leadi, 
may be compelled to play any suit demanded by the adversaries. 

64. In no case can a player be compelled to play a card which would 
©blige him to revoke. 

65. The call of a card may be repeated § until such card has been 
played. 

66. If a player called on to lead a suit have none of it, the penalty is 
paid. 

CARDS PLAYED IN ERROR, OR NOT PLAYED TO 

A TRICK. 

67. If the third hand play before the second, the fourth hand maypilaj 
before his partner. 

• /. ^., the first time that side obtains the lead. 

+ i. ^., the penalty of calling a suit must be exacted fi-om whichever of them 
next first obtains the lead. It follows that if the player who leads out of turn 
is the partner of the person who ought to have led, and a suit is called, it must 
be called at once from the right leader. If he is allowed to play as he pleases^ 
the only penalty that remains is to call the card erroneously led. 

% i, e,^ whichever of them next first has the lead. 

I At every trick. 



50 



WHIST, 



68. Should the third hand not have played, and the fourth play before 
his partner, the latter may be called on to win, or not to win the trick, 

69. If any one omit playing to a former trick, and such error be not 
discovered until he has played to the next, the adversaries may claim a 
new deal ; should they decide that the deal stand good, the surplus card 
at the end of the hand is considered to have been played to the imperfect 
trick, but does not constitute a revoke therein. 

70. If any one play two cards to the same trick, or mix his trump, or 
other card, with a trick to which it does not properly belong, and the mis- 
take be not discovered until the hand is played out, he is answerable for 
all consequent revokes he may have made.* If, during the play of the 
hand, the error be detected, the tricks may be counted face downward, in 
order to ascertain whether there be among them a card too many : should 
this be the case, they may be searched, and the card restored ; the player 
is, however, liable for all revokes which he may have meanwhile made, 

THE REVOKE. 

71. Is when a player, holding one or more cards of the suit led, plays 
a card of a different suit.t 

72. The penalty for a revoke : — 

I. Is at the option of the adversaries, who at the end of the 

hand, may either take three tricks from the revoking player \ 

— or deduct three points from his score — or add three to 

their own score ; 

II. Can be claimed for as many revokes as occur during the hand ; 

III. Is applicable only to the score of the game in which it occurs ; 

IV. Cannot be divided, i. e.^ a player cannot add one or two to his 

own score and deduct one or two from the revoking player ; 
V, Takes precedence of every other score, e. g, — The claimants 
two — their opponents nothing — the former add three to their 
score — and thereby win a treble game, even should the latter 
have made thirteen tricks, and held four honors. 

73. A revoke is established, if the trick in which it occur be turned and 
quitted, /. ^., the hand removed from that trick after it has been turned 
face downward on the table — or if either the revoking player or his part- 
ner, whether in his right turn or otherwise, lead or play to the following 
trick. 

♦ Vide also Law 46. t Vide also Law 61, 

X And add them to their own. 



WHIST. 



51 



74. A player may ask his partner whether he has not a card of the suit 
which he has renounced ; should the question be asked before the trick is 
turned and quitted, subsequent turning and quitting does not establish 
the revoke, and the error may be corrected, unless the question be an- 
swered in the negative, or unless the revoking player ©r his partner have 
led or played to the following trick. 

75. At the end of the hand, the claimants of a revoke may search all 
the tricks.* 

76. If a player discover his mistake in time to save a revoke, the ad- 
versaries, whenever they think fit, may call the card thus played in error, 
or may require him to play his highest or lowest card to that trick in 
which he has renounced ; any player or players who have played after 
him may withdraw their cards and substitute others : the cards withdrawn 
are not liable to be called. 

77. If a revoke be claimed, and the accused player or his partner mix 
the cards before they have been sufficiently examined by the adversaries, 
the revoke is established. The mixing of the cards only renders the 
proof of a revoke difficult, but does not prevent the claim, and possible 
establishment, of the penalty. 

78. A revoke cannot be claimed after the cards have been cut for the 
following deal. 

79. The revoking player and his partner may, under all circumstances, 
require the hand in which the revoke has been detected to be played out. 

80. If a revoke occur, be claimed and proved, bets on the odd trick, or 
on amount of score, must be decided by the actual state of the latter, 
after the penalty is paid. 

81. Should the players on both sides subject themselves to the penalty 
of one or more revokes, neither can win the game : each is punished at 
the discretion of his adversary.! 

82. In whatever way the penalty be enforced, under no circumstances 
can a player win the game by the result of the hand during which he ha^ 
revoked ; he cannot score more than four. ( Vide Rule 61.) 



CALLING FOR NEW CARDS. 

83. Any player (on paying for them) before, but not after, the pack b^ 
cut for the deal, may call for fresh cards. He must call for two nei« 
packs, of which the dealer takes his choice. 

* Vide Law 77. t In the manner prescribed in Law 72, 



52 



WHIST. 



GENERAL RULES. 



84. Where a player and his partner have an option of exacting 
from their adversaries one of two penalties, they should agree who is to 
make the election, but must not consult with one another which of the 
two penalties it is advisable to exact ; if they do so consult they lose their 
right ;* and if either of them, with or without consent of his partner, de- 
mand a penalty to which he is entitled, such decision is final. 

This rule does not apply in exacting the penalties for a revoke ; 
partners have then a right to consult. 

85. Any one during the play of a trick, or after the four cards are 
played, and before, but not after, they are touched for the purpose of 
gathering them together, may demand that the cards be placed before 
their respective players. 

86. If any one, prior to his partner playing, should call attention to the 
trick — either by saying that it is his, or by naming his card, or, without 
being required so to do, by drawing it toward him — the adversaries may 
require that opponent's partner to play the highest or lowest of the suit 
then led, or to win or lose + the trick. 

87. In all cases where a penalty has been incurred, the offender is 
bound to give reasonable time for the decision of his adversaries. 

88. If a bystander make any remark which calls the attention of a 
player or players to an oversight affecting the score, he is liable to be 
called on, by the players only, to pay the stakes and all bets on that 
game or rubber. 

89. A bystander, by agreement among the players, may decide any 
question. 

90. A card or cards torn or marked must be either replaced by agree- 
ment, or new cards called at the expense of the table. 

91. Any player may demand to see the last trick turned, and no more. 
Under no circumstances can more than eight cards be seen during the 
play of the hand, viz. : the four cards on the table which have not been 
turned and quitted, and the last trick turned. 

ETIQUETTE OF WHIST. 

The following rules belong to the established Etiquette of Whist. 
They are not called laws, as it is difficult — in some cases impossible — to 

* To demand any penalty* t a. e^ r^fraio from winni««^< 



WHIST. 



53 



apply any penalty to their infraction, and the only remedy is to cease t« 
play with players who habitually disregard them. 

Two packs of cards are invariably used at Clubs : if possible, this 
should be adhered to. 

Any one having the lead and several winning cards to play, should not 
draw a second card out of his hand until his partner has played to the 
first trick, such act being a distinct intimation that the former has played 
a winning card. 

No intimation whatever, by word or gesture, should be given by a 
player as to the state of his hand, or of the game.* 

A player who desires the cards to be placed, or who demands to see the 
last trick, t should do it for his own information only, and not in order to 
invite the attention of his partner. 

No player should object to refer to a bystander who professes himself 
uninterested in the game, and able to decide any disputed question of 
facts ; as to who played any particular card — whether honors were claimed 
though not scored, or vice versd — etc., etc. 

It is unfair to revoke purposely ; having made a revoke, a player is not 
justified in making a second in order to conceal the first. 

Until the players have made such bets as they wish, bets should not 
be made with bystanders. 

Bystanders should make no remark, neither should they by word or 
gesture give any intimation of the state of the game until concluded and 
scored, nor should they walk round the table to look at the different 
hands. 

No one should look over the hand of a player against whom he is betting. 

Dummy is played by three players. 

One hand, called Dummy's, lies exposed on the table. 

The laws are the same as those of Whist, with the following excep- 
tions : 

I. Dummy deals at the commencement of each rubber. 

II. Dummy is not liable to the penalty for a revoke, as his adver- 
saries see his cards ; should he \ revoke and the error not 
be discovered until the trick is turned and quitted, it stands 
good.g 

* The question, ** Who dealt? " is irregular, and if asked should not be an- 
iwered. 

t Or who asks what the trump suit is. 

X i. e.^ Dummy's hand. If Dummy's partner revokes, he is liable t» th« 
tisbal penalties. » 

§ And the hand proceeds as though the revoke had not been discovered. 



54 WHIST. 

III. Dummy being blind and deaf, his partner is not Kable to any 
penalty for an error whence he can gain no advantage. 
Thus, he may expose some, or all of his cards, or may de- 
clare that he has the game or trick, etc, , without incurring 
any penalty ; if, however, he lead from Dummy's hand 
when he should lead from his ovm, or vice versd^ a suit may 
be called from the hand which ought to have led. 

Double Dummy is played by two players, each having a Dummy or 
ixposed hand for his partner. The laws of the game do not differ from 
Dummy Whist, except in the following special law : There is no misdeal, 
as the deal is a disadvantage. 

How TO Count. — Four counters are used. Before the game begins 
these are piled up. All the tricks over six are scored ; when the hand is 
concluded, the counters are placed in line on the table, one for each of the 
odd tricks. When four is scored in a game of five points, of course one 
point more, which is the game, does not require counting. 

To Count a Game of Ten, the following is the method : 



One. 


Two. 


Three. 


Four, 


O 


O 





O O 


Five. 


Six. 


Seven. 


Eight. 








O 








O 





o 


Nine. 













' 























One more 


point which is 


not scored, makes tea. 





RUIZES KOR IvEADINO AT:^ W^HIST. 

BY OAVEDNDISM. 

714^ /?a^flf^ <^ Whist ^ as explained by Cavendish^ are now presented. 
The careful student of the game will find that in some points he dif^ 
fersfrom Pole, 



GENERAL RULES. 

LEADS FROM STRONG SUITS. 

1. Lead originally from your strongest suit. 

2. Strong suits are of two kinds ; {a) suits in which you hold more than 
the average of high cards ; {b) suits in which you hold more than the 
average number of cards. 

Example. — A suit containing more than one honor, but less than four 
cards, represents the first kind of strength. A suit of four or more small 
cards represents the second kind of strength. 

3. A suit which combines both kinds of strength is the most eligible for 
the original lead ; but 

4. Failing this, the second kind of strength is generally to be preferred. 

5. In the first round of your strong suit lead the lowest card (except as 
otherwise directed in the Table of Leads, pp. 00-00). 

Note, — With a suit of five or more cards, not headed by ace or by a sequence, 
the lowest but one should be led (see *' Cavendish on Whist," 13th Ed., pp. 
257-266). 

LEADS FROM WEAK SUITS. 

6. A weak suit is only to be led from when the indications from the 
previous fall of the cards have shown that perseverance in your own or 
your partner's strong suit is not desirable. 

7. When obliged to open a suit which contains at most three eards» 

(55) 



56 WHIST. 

lead the highest (except as otherwise directed in the Table of Leads). 

8. In choosing a weak suit to lead from {a) do not lead a suit from 
which your partner has thrown away (but see " Cavendish on Whist," pp. 
93> 94) ; (^) iior ^ suit from which your left-hand adversary has thrown 
away ; {c) nor a suit which your right-hand adversary has led or has 
abstained from throwing away. And 

9. Failing any such indication, lead your strongest weak suit. 

LEADS FROM SEQUENCES. 

TO. Lead the highest of a sequence, if the sequence heads your suit ; 
the lowest if it does not (except as otherwise directed in the Table of 
Leads). 

Example. — ^A suit of knave, ten, nine, and small ones, is a specimen of 
a sequence heading a suit. From this, the highest of the sequence, the 
knave, should be led. A suit of king, knave, ten, nine, is a specimen of 
a sequence that does not head a suit. Here, the lowest of the sequence, 
^e nine, should be led, not the knave. 

LEADS AFTER THE FIRST ROUND OF A SUIT. 

11. Avoid changing your lead from one suit to another ; and 

12. If you lose the lead and obtain it again after one or more trickf 
have been played, generally pursue your first lead. 

13. After the first round of a suit, lead the winning card if you have it ; 
and 

14. If you remain with the second and third best, lead the second best, 

15. In other cases continue with your lowest (except as otherwise 
directed in the Table of Leads). 

RETURNED LEADS. 

16. Return your partner's lead, unless you have a good suit of your 
own which combines both kinds of strength (see rule 2). 

17. When obliged to return your adversary's lead, choose a suit in 
which the fourth hand is weak, rather than one in which the second hand 
is strong. 

18. Return the highest if you have but two of the suit left in your 
hand ; the lowest, if more than two (subject, however, to rules 13 and 14). 



WHIST. 



57 



TABLE OF LEADS. 



Note, — The leads given in the following table presuppose the score ef love- 
all ; and in the case of strong suits, the original lead of the hand. In other 
eases, the state of the score and the previous fall of the cards, may cause vari- 
ations which cannot be tabulated. 

Where two ways of opening a suit are stated, the author prefers the one first 
given. 

STRONG SUITS HEADED BY ACE. 



From 



9? 



^ 



^. 



Ace, king, queen, with or without small ones. Lead king, then queen. 
In trumps, queen, then king. 

From ace, king, queen, knave. Lead king, then knave. In trumps, 
knave, then ace. 



From 






Ace, king, with one or more small ones. Lead king, then ace. In 
trumps, lowest. Except, with more than six trumps, lead king, then ace. 
(For lead from ace, king only, see Weak Suits headed by Ace). 




From 



Ace, king, knave, with or without small ones. Lead king, then ace. 
Sometimes king, then change the suit in order to finesse knave on return. 




From 




Ace, queen, knave, etc. Lead ace, then queen. With ace, queen, 
knave, five or more in suit, lead ace, then lowest of queen, knave, 
sequence. 



58 



WHIST. 



From 







w 




9? <^ 




^ ^ 












<;?_<^ 


^ 












^^<?> 






4^^ 






<j> 9? 



Ace, queen, ten, nine, with small ones. Lead ace. In trumps, nine. 
Except, with more than six trumps, lead ace. If knave is turned up t# 
y®ur right, lead queen. 

From ace, queen, ten, nine, eight, with or without small ones. Lead 
ace. In trumps, eight. Except, with more than six trumps, lead ace. 

From ace, queen, ten, nine, without small ones. Lead nine. la 
trumps, if knave is turned up to your right, lead queen. 



From 







^%m 




* ♦ 




* 


* 




B 




♦ ♦ 




* 



Ace, queen, and two small ones. Lead lowest. (For lead from ace, 
queen, and one small one, see Weak Suits headed by Ace). 



From 







^SS 




0,0 




O 







f^^M 




0^0 




o^o 




I^H 




OoO 








Jwl 









O 



Ace, knave, ten, nine, with small ones. Lead ace, then knave. 
From ace, knave, ten, nine, without small ones. Lead nine. Some- 
times ace, then knave. 



From 






Ace, knave, ten, and one small one. Lead lowest. 



From 



♦ ♦ 

♦ 
4 ♦ 











^ s? 




9? S? 


9? 












V ^ 



Ace, knave, and two small ones. Lead lowest. (For lead from ace, 
knave, and one small one, see Weak Suits headed by Ace}. 



WHTST. 



59 



Pram 







* * 




* + 




4- 




+ 


* 








4. 4. 




4- 
4- 




4- 



Ace, and four or more small ones. Lead ace. In trumps, lowest 
Except, with more than six trumps, lead ace. 



From 







<> 












































Ace, and three small ones. Lead lowest, 

WEAK SUITS HEADED BY ACE. 



From 




Ace, king, only. Lead ace. (Compare the lead from ace, king, and 
one or more small ones.) 



From 



S? 




or 
from 



S? 



^ 



Ace, queen, only, or ace, knave, only. Lead ace. (For lead from ace, 
queen, and one small, or from ace, knave, and one small, see Lead from 
Ace and two others.) 



From 



4- 
4- 
4- 



4- 



Ace and two others, one of the others not being the king. Lead lowest. 
Except partner has indicated strength in the suit, when lead ace, then 
next highest. 

From ace and one small one* Lead ace. Especially if partner has in- 
dicated strength in the suit. If two tricks must be made in the suit to 
win or save a particular point, lead lowest. 



6o 



WHIST. 



STRONG SUITS HEADED BY KING. 



Vv^m 





O O 



King, queen, knave, ten, with or without small ones. Lead ten, thai 
queen. 



From 






King, queen, knave, and more than one small one. Lead knave, thea 
queen. If knave does not win, some players continue with king. 



From 



^^M^ 




m 




J4 \kL j 




9 9 
9? ^ 



King, queen, knave only, or with one small one. Lead king, then 
queen. 



From 





4» jlV 






King, queen, ten, with one or more small ones. Lead king. If It 
wins, then lowest. 



From 



^^W 




% 














^^ 




^ 9? 




<P 



King, queen, and two or more small ones. Lead king. If it wins, 
then lowest. In trumps, lead lowest, then king. Except, with more than 
.six trumps, begin with king. 



WHIST. 



01 



From 



KT^ri 


♦lUfl 








♦ *| 


}^^K 


^ft^ 






4-4- 

4- 

4-4- 


(^^^ 


^^H 




4-4- 

4- 

4-4- 




S^ 


^ffl 






* 4. 



King, knave, ten, nine, etc. Lead lowest of sequence. If it wins, thea 
next in sequence. 

From king, knave, ten, with one or more small ones. Lead ten. If H 
wins, then lowest. 



From 





9? 9? 






King, knave, and two or more small ones. Lead lowest. In trumps, 
with king, knave, nine, etc., and ten turned up to your right, lead 
knave. 



From 




4-*4* 



4. 4- 

4. 4- 
4. 4. 



* * 

* * 



King and three or more smaU ones. Lead lowest. 



WEAK SUITS HEADED BY KING. 



From 






King, queen, ten, only. Lead king, then queen. 



From 




□ 



K?ng, queen, and one small one. Lead king ; If it wins, then lowest. 
Except partner has indicated strength in the stiit, when lead king 
^en queen. 



From 



WHIST 







King", knave, ten, only. Lead ten, then king. Except partner has i» 
dicated strength in the suit, when lead king, then knave. 



From 




4. 4* 

4. 4. 
4. 4i 



4, ^ 



King and two others, one of the others not bein^f the queen. Lead 
lowest. Except partner has indicated strength in the suit, when lead 
king, then next highest. 

From king and one other. Lead king. Especially if partner has indi- 
cated strength in the suit. 



STRONG SUITS HEADED BY QUEEN. 



From 




O O 



Queen, knave, ten, with or without small ones. Lead queen, then 
knave. With five or more in suit, lead queen, then lowest of sequence* 



From 







4ra$| 




4. 4* 




4* 






m 




4»*4- 
4. 4. 




4- 



Queen, knave, nine, and one or more small ones. Lead lowest. In 
trumps, the same, unless ten is turned up to your right, when lead queen. 



From 



'M 




"^Mt 








9 9 


^^m 








^ 9 




^ ^ 



Quten, knave, and two or more small ones. Lead lowest 



WHIST. 



63 



From 



1 












♦ ♦ 



Queen and three or more small ones. Lead lowest. 



WEAK SUITS HEADED BY QUEEN. 



From 




O; 



o o 

0% 



Queen, knave, and one small one, or queen, knave, only. Lead queen, 
If it wi'-s, then knave. 



From 




Queen and two small ones. Lead lowest. Except partner has indk 
cated strength in the suit, when lead queen, then next highest. 
From queen and one small one. Lead queen. 



STRONG SUITS HEADED BY KNAVE. 



From 







9? 9? 



9? 
9? 
9? 



Knave, ten, nine, with one or more small ones. Lead knave. Wit)^ 
five or more in suit, lead knave, then lowest of sequence. 



From 




♦^^ 



♦ ^^ 






^ ♦ 



♦ ♦ 



Knave, ten, eight, with one or more small ones. Lead lowest. In 
trumps, if nine is turned up to your right, lead knave. 



64 



WHIST. 



From 







S?^^ 




^ 


<? 


9 






^ ^ 














9? s? 




9? 


9 


L <:^ 



Knave, ten, and two or more small ones. Lead lowest. 



From 




4* 
4. 4. 



4. 4. 

4. 4. 



4. 4* 
4. 4- 
4. 4. 



Knave and three or more small ones. Lead lowest. 



From 



WEAK SUITS HEADED BY KNAVE. 

5~0 



<>Mk 



0.^0 

o o 



o o 



Knave, ten, and one other. Lead knave. 
From knave, ten, only. Lead knave. 



From 



^ ♦ 

♦ ♦ 

♦ ♦ 






Knave and two small ones. Lead knave, then next highest. 
From knave and one small one. Lead knave. 



From 



STRONG SUITS HEADED BY TEN. 



4.^4- 




4. 4. 

4**4- 

4. 4. 




*** 

4. 4. 

*** 




* 



Ten, nine, eight, with one or more small ones. Lead smallest-, in 
trumps, ten. Having led ten in trumps from five or more in suit, con- 
tinue with lowest of sequence. Some players lead t^n in all suits. 



WHIST. 



6t; 



From 



ooool 

o o 

oooo 


r 


00 0| 

oooo 



















Tei? w^ith nine and small ones ; or, from ten, with three or more smaU 
Lead lowest. 



WEAK SUITS HEADED BY TEN. 
Fr.>in suits of two or three cards headed by ten, lead ten. 

SUITS HEADED BY A SMALL CARD. 

From suits headed by a card smaller than the ten, containing four ot 
more cards (strong suits, see Rule 23), in all cases lead the lowest. (But 
see Rule 5.) 

From suits headed by a card smaller than the ten, containing at most 
three cards (weak suits, see Rule 2), in all cases lead the highest. 



PRACTICAL HINTS. 

DEALING. 

Point the pack downward in dealing. 

SORTING THE CARDS. 

Sort your cards so as to give no clue to the contents of your hand. Do 
not get into the habit of putting your trumps always in the same place. 

Hold your hand well up, that it may not be overlooked. 

Before playing to the first trick, count your hand and look at the scor^ 
and at the turn-up card. 

PLAYING. 

Play without hesitation. Hesitation exposes the hand and directs the 
opponents. 

If your partner does not follow suit, ask him the usual question, and so 
shift the responsibility of a revoke. 

Play the game on recognized principles, that you may win the confi- 
dence of your partner. Do not play false cards. 

Be as careful in playing low cards as high ones. Do not throw away 
the three when you hold the two, and so on. Bad players always err ir 
this ; they fancy it is a matter of indifference. 



66 WHIST. 

Keep your eye constantly on the table. Watch every card as it f alls, 
and draw your inferences at the time. As a beginner be content to ob 
serve the broad indications of the game. Do not attempt too much ad 
first. Do not affect a brilliant game before you can play a sound one. 

Play for your partner's hand as well as for your own. Adapt your plajs 
to the pecuharities of your partner. In order to do this you must observe 
attentively the systems of those with whom you play. 

Attend to the score, and play your game accordingly. 

SCORING. 

Mark the game before you discuss it. When you mark honors, at th» 

same time claim them audibly. 

Score to your right hand. Keep the counters net in use to your left 

hand. 

GENERAL, 

Much is to be learnt by looking over good player?. Do not look over 
more than one hand at a time. Do not judge by consequences. The 
play, though correct on calculation, may nevertheless turn out unfortu- 
nate. Good play does not ensure success in every case. 

Bystanders should make no remark, nor by gesture Intimate the state 
of the game ; and they should not walk round the table to look at the 
different hands. 

Avoid all impatient actions and remarks. Never throw down youi 
cards. Never talk while the hand is in progress. Never 3ccture you^ 
partner. 



1>0CKET GUIDE TO WHIST 
GENERAL RULES, 



THE LEAD. 
I. Lead originally from your strongest suit. Do not c^en a tfY^ of lesi 
than four cards. 
•2. Ace, Kg., etc., lead Kg. Ace, Kg., Qn., lead Kg., then Qn. 

Kg., Qn., etc., lead Kg. Ace, Qn., Knv., lead Ace, then Qn 

Qn., Knv., Ten, etc., lead Qn, Ace, and four small, lead Ace. 
Kg., Knv., Ten, etc., lead Ten. Kg., Knv., Ten, Nine, le?d Nine. 
(See also •' Pocket Rules for Leading at Whist.") 



WHIST. 67 

3. In other cases lead your lowest. (But see No. 7.) 

4. Return your partner's lead ; but, if yc/u have a strong suit of youi 
own, lead that first. 

5. [Second round of a suit.] If you have only two of the suit left, re- 
turn the highest ; if more than two, the lowest. (But see No. 21.) 

6. [Leads late in a hand.] Avoid opening a fresh suit in which you 
are weak. If obliged to change your suit, lead through a strong suit ; or, 
still better, up to a weak one. And 

7. If obliged to open a suit of only two cards, lead the highest. The 
same with a suit of three cards none higher than knave. 



SECOND HAND. 

8. Ace, King., play King. Ace, Kg., Qn., play Qn., and so on. 
King, Queen, play Queen. Kg., Qn., Knv., play Knv., and so on. 
Qn., Knv., Ten, play Ten. Qn., Knv. and one small, play Knv. 

9. In other cases, play your lowest ; except 

10. Put Ace on King, Queen, or Knave ; and if you have not more than 
three of the suit, put King on Queen ; and King or Queen on Knave. 

11. [When not able to follow suit.] With four or more trumps do not 
trump unless certain that your partner cannot win the trick. But with 
less thai> four trumps, none higher than Knave, trump, unless certain 
that your partner has the best of the suit led. 

THIRD HAND. 

12. Ace, Queen, play Queen. Ace, Queen, Knave, play Knave* 

13. In other cases, play your highest. (But see No. 20.) 

MANAGEMENT OF TRUMPS. 

14. Having five or more trumps lead them, even if an honor is tuniteo 
up fourth hand. 

15. Do not lead trumps merely for the purpose of leading through an 
honor turned up. 

16. If the adversary holds no card in your strong suit that can win a 
trick, lead from four trumps. Do not lead from less than four trumps. 

17. Return trumps at once if your partner leads them. (And see No. 5.) 

18. Do not lead a card for your partner to trump unless you have four 
or more trumps. But 



68 WHIST. 

19. Compel a strong trump hand of the adversary to trump wheneve 
you can. 

GENERAL. 

20. If not leading, always play the lowest of a sequence. 

21. In the second round of a suit play the winning card, if you have it. 

22. Lead out the winning cards of your partner's suit as soon as you 
can. Retain those of your opponent's suits as long as you can. 

23. When not able to follow suit throw away from your weakest suit. 
(But see No. 11.) 

24. Always play a winning card when one trick wins or saves the game. 

25. Watch the cards as they are played, and try to infer from them 
where the others lie. 

26. Never throw down your cards. Never talk while a hand is in prog- 
ress. Never lecture your partner. 



EXPLANATION OF RULES. 

THE FIRST HAND OR LEAD— LEAD FROM YOUR 
STRONGEST SUIT. 

A strong suit is one that contains either a great number of cards, or 
several high cards. The suit containing the greatest number of cards 
should generally be chosen for the first or original lead. 

Four cards of one suit are above the average number. Three cards 
are below the average. Hence, suits containing four cards or more are 
numerically strong or long suits ; those containing three cards or less ar^ 
numerically weak. , 

Examples. — Your hand consists of ace, king of spades ; five hearts, 
the ten the best ; king and three small clubs ; and queen and anothet 
trump. You should lead from the five hearts. 

You have ace, kingj knave, and another spade ; five small hearts , 
queen, knave, and another club ; and one trump. Here, your spade suit, 
being very strong in high cards, should be chosen. If, however, the 
spade suit contained only three cards, you should lead from the long suit 
of hearts. 

The object of leading from the strongest suit is to exhaust the" cards of 
the suit from the other hands, remaining with the long cards in your own. 
These long cards are frequently of great service, and (when trumps are 
out) are certain tricks. On the other hand, by opening a weak suit, you 



WHIST. 69 

run the risk of exhausting such strength as your partner has, and of leav- 
ing the long cards in the possession of the adversaries . 

Some players are fond of opening a suit in which they hold only a 
single card ; another favorite lead is from ace and one small card. These 
and similar weak leads cannot be recommended. Now and then a trick 
or two is gained by playing a trumping game ; but the more probable 
result is to sacrifice your partner's hand, and to clear the suit for the ad- 
versaries. 

Having one suit of four very small cards, and all other suits of three 
cards, the best plan for beginners is to adhere to rule, and to open the 
four-card suit, even though it is trumps. There are exceptional cases 
when it is advisable to open the strongest three-card suit. No positive 
rule can be laid down for such hands. 

You should generally lead the lowest card of your strong suit. Your 
partner will play his highest, and so assist to clear the suit. And by 
keeping high cards of your suit in your own hand, you stand the best 
chance of obtaining the lead when the suit is established. 

Exceptions. — When your suit contains a strong sequence, you should 
lead one of the sequence, lest the adversaries win the first trick with a 
very low card. Also : If you have a sujt of ace and four or more small 
ones, begin with the ace, lest it should afterward be trumped. And : with 
experienced players, it is now usual with suits of five or more, from wnlch 
a low card is led originally, to-commence by leading the lowest but one 
{see " Cavendish on Whist "). 

RETURNED LEADS. 

You should return your partner's lead in order to assist in clearing 
his suit. But if you have a very strong suit of your own (for example, 
ace, king, and two small ones, or queen, knave, and three small ones), 
you are justified in opening that, as your suit is presumably better than 
your partner's. 

Return the Lowest of a Strong Suit, the Highest of a 
Weak Suit. — The number of cards in the suit is the test, unless you 
hold the winning card, when always lead it irrespective of number, lest it 
should be trumped, third round. Otherwise, with but two cards remain^ 
ing after the first round, you are weak, and should return the highest, 
sacrificing yourself to support your partner. With more than two re^ 
maining you should return the lowest ; for you are strong, and are, con- 
sequently, justified in holding back your high cards. 

It is important to observe that the rule holds, even in the case of the 
smallest cards. Thus : Your partner leads a suit of which you hold ace. 



70 



WHIST. 



three, and two. In returning his suit after winning with the ace, yeu 
are hound to return the three^ not the two. When your two falls in the 
third round, he will know that you do not hold another. But suppose 
your cards to be ace, four, three, and two. In returning the suit you are 
bound to choose the two. After the third round, your partner will con- 
clude with certainty that you hold more of the suit. 

LEADS LATE IN A HAND. 

Avoid Changing Suits. — As a rule you should continue to lead your 
own or your partner's strong suit at every opportunity, in order to real- 
ize the advantages of leading from strength. But an untoward fall of 
the cards may compel you to have recourse to a weak suit. In such a 
case you choose a salt in which you suppose your right-hand adversary 
is weak, or, though this is less favorable, one in which your left-hand 
adversary is strong, by which you place your partner in an advantageous 
position. You should lead the highest of the weak suit, as you thereby 
do all in your power to support your partner's hand. 

THE SECOND HAND. 

[Observe. — The words "and so on" in Rule 8 refer to similar 
sequences. Thus : With king, queen, knave, and ten, the ten should be 
put on second hand.] 

Play your Lowest Card Second Hand, in order to husband 
such strength as you hold in the adversary's suit. You leave the chance 
of the first trick to your partner, trusting to his holding a better card than 
the third player. 

But, if you have a strong sequence, it is generally better to put on a 
high card second hand. You may thereby save your partner, while you 
still remain with a high card over the original leader. 

Example. — You, second player, have queen, knave, and one small 
card. You put on the knave. If your partner has ace, etc. , and the lead 
•was from the king, you make the knave, and your partner keeps up the 
ace. If you had put on the small one second hand, your partner's ace 
might have been forced out the first round. Your partner may not hold 
the ace at all ; but in this case you do no harm by putting on the knave, 
as however you play you cannot win more than one trick in the suit. 

When the leader opens his suit with a high card, it is sometimes ad- 
visable for the second player to cover it. As a rule, you cannot make a 
better use of an ace than to win an honor v/ith it. With king or queen 
you should cover an honor if you have but three cards of the suit, be- 
cause then you are weak, and you sacrifice your good cards in hopes of 



WHIST, 71 

assisting your partner. But if you have four of the suit you are strong^ 
and, with king or queen, you pass an honor, leaving to your partner the 
chance of helping you. 

When not able to follow suit second hand, you should not trump a suit 
of which your partner may hold the best if you have four or more trumps, 
but should trump with less than four. For with four trumps you are 
strong, with less than four you are weak. When weak in trumps, th« 
best use you can put them to is to make tricks by trumping ; but nc« 
when you are strong in trumps (see Management of Trumps). 



THE THIRD HAND. 

Play your highest card Third Hand. — In order to assist in clear 
ing your partner's suit. 

Exceptions, — With ace and queen you should put on your queen, tafc 
ing the chance of the king's lying to your right. Also : if your partnei 
leads a high card, it is sometimes advisable not to cover it, as he may 
have led to support your hand. 

MANAGEMENT OF TRUMPS. 

Lead Trumps when very strong in them.— With five or more 
trumps you are very strong. You should lead them with the object of 
exhausting the adversaries' trumps. With five trumps your chance of 
succeeding in this and remaining with the long trumps is considerable, 
and you have an excellent prospect of bringing in any long suit which 
you or your partner may hold. 

Number being the principal element of strength, you should not be 
deterred from leading from five trumps simply because the fourth hand 
has turned up an honor. Nor should you lead from less than five 
trumps merely because an honor has been turned up second hand. 

If you are very strong in trumps {i. e. , with a minimum of five trumps 
one being an honor, or four trumps two being honors), and have not the 
lead, you can ask for trumps {i. e.^ call on your partner to lead a trump), 
by playing an unnecessarily high card before a low one. Thus, if your 
partner leads king, ace of a suit, and to the first round you play the three, 
to the second round the two, you have asked for trumps. Your partner 
is then bound to relinquish his game, and to lead trumps at once. If he 
has three trumps he should lead his highest, and then his next highest. 
If he has more than three trumps, his lowest, unless he has the ace, when 
he should lead that and then his lowest. 



72 



WHIST, 



If your partner leads trumps or asks for trumps, and you have four 
or more trumps, you should echo by asking at the first opportunity. 

You should lead from four trumps if you get the lead after the adver- 
saries' hands are cleared of your strong suit, or so far cleared that you 
command it. 

As a rule you should not lead from less than four trumps unless 

You have winning cards in every suit ; or 

The adversaries are both trumping ; or 

The game is hopeless unless your partner proves strong. 

You should at once return your partner's trump lead, because he, by 
leading trumps, declares a strong game, and it is your best policy to sec- 
ond him, even if by so doing you abandon your own plans. 

Do NOT FORCE YOUR PARTNER IF YOU ARE WEAK IN TRUMPS. — With 

less than four trumps you are weak. When weak yourself, you should 
not lead a card for your partner to trump ; for, by forcing, you weaken 
him and run the serious risk of leaving the command of trumps with the 
adversaries. 
Exceptions. — You may force your partner though yourself weak, 
If he has already been forced and has not afterward led a trump ; or 
If you know him to be weak in trumps, as by his having trumped sec- 
ond hand ; or 

If you and he can each trump a different suit ; or 
When one trick from his hand wins or saves the game or a point. 
The same considerations which make it inexpedient to force your part- 
ner when you are weak, show that it is advantiig^GUS to force a strong 
trump hand of the adversary. 

GENERAL. 

Play the lowest of a sequence whfn not leading. — You 
naturally win a trick with the smallest card you can, or if you cannot win 
it you throw away the smallest you have. By adopting a uniform plan, 
you enable your partner to teU what cards you hold. And it is found by 
experience that this information is of more value to your partner than to 
the adversaries. 

Keep the Command of your Adversaries' Suit; get rid of 
THE Command of your Partner's Suit.— You assume that the suit 
thosen for the lead by each player is his strong suit. By leading the 
winning card of a suit you assist in clearing it. This, of course, is to 
your advantage so far as your partner's suit is concerned. But the reverse 
holds with regard to your opponents' suits. Here you want to obstruct 
the establishment of a suit as much as you can, and should therefore not 



WHIST. 



n 



only refrain from leading the commanding cards, but should keep second 
best and third best cards guarded with small ones, as long as you can. 

If, however, the adversaries continue their suit, you should, as a rule, 
play the winning card of it in the second round, as the chances are it will 
be trumped third round. 

This is the simplest rule for beginners. But there are various excep- 
tions. Thus, if you have best and third best of a suit, and have reason 
to suppose the second best is to your right you would play the third best. 
In trumps also, if you are not desirous o stopping the trump lead at once, 
it is often right to pass the second lound. 

Discard from your Weakest Suit.— When not able to follow 
suit you do no harm by throwing away from suits in which you are 
already weak ; but if you throw away from a strong suit you diminish its 
numerical power. 

The same rule applies as to trumping second hand. If weak in trumps, 
trump a doubtful card, but not if strong. 

There is one exception to the rule of discarding from the weakest suii. 
If the opponents declare great strength in trumps, as by leading or ask- 
ing for them, you have no reasonable chance of bringing in a long suit. 
In such cases you must play on the defence, and guard your weak suits, 
discarding from your best protected suit, which is generally your long 
swt. 

It follows, if your partner pursues this plan, that he will give you credit 
for weakness in the suit you first discard, when no great adverse strength 
in trumps has been shown, and he will refrain from subsequently leading 
that suit. But, if great adverse strength in trumps has been declared, he 
will assume you to be strong in the suit you first discard, and will lead 
that suit unless he has a very strong suit of his own. 

Play to the Score. — All general rules are subject to this one. Thus, 
if one trick saves or wins the game, make it at once. For example : The 
score is love-all ; you have four tricks ; the adversaries have shown two 
by honors ; your partner opens a fresh suit of which you have ace, queen. 
The general rule is to play the queen : but, as here one trick saves the 
game, you would generally be right to play the ace. 

The example is given for one trick ; but you should always keep in 
mind how many tricks are requisite to win or save the game, or even a 
point, and play accordingly. 

Watch the Fall oj' the Cards. — By observing the suits led by 
the different players, and the value of the cards played by each, and by 
counting the number of cards out in the various suits, especially in trumps, 
you will find that you will of» know the position of all the important 



74 WHIST. 

cards remaining in ; and by means of this knowledge you will be enabled 
to play the hand, particularly toward its close, t(3 the best advantage. 
You should begin by recording in your own mind the broad indications 
of the hand as it progresses ; you will gradually acquire the power of 
noting even the minor features without any great effort. 

You should draw your inferences at the time. Thus, if a king is led 
originally and you have the ace of that suit, you should at once infer that 
the leader has the queen ; and so on for other combinations. 

The following table gives some of the more important inferences : 

Play. Inference. 

Original Leader. 

Suit led. Is his strongest. 

Small card led. Has not any combination from 

which a high card is led. 

Ace led. Has at least five in suit and has not 

king. 

Ace, then queen. Has knave. 

King led. Has ace or queen, or both. 

Queen led. Has not ace or king, but almost cer- 

tainly knave and ten. 
And so on through the whole list of leads. 

Plain suit led originally. Is not very strong in trumps. 

Leader^ Second Round of a Suit. 

Does not lead winning card. Has not got it. 

Leads the second best. Has the third best. 

Returns partner's lead with a low Has more. 

card ; afterward plays a higher 

one. 
Returns partner's lead with a high Has no more. 

card ; afterward plays a lower 

one. 

Second Hand, 

Plays a low card. His lowest,unless calling for trumps. 

Plays a high card. Has no more, or the next highest, 

or one of the combinations with 
which a high card is played sec- 
ond hand. 



WHIST. 



75 



Plays an honor on an honor. 



Does not play an honor on an hon- 
or, and afterward plays an honor 
in the suit. 



Has another honor, or only three at 
most of the suit, except he puts 
on ace, when he may have more. 

Has more than three and no second 
honor. 



Plays ace. 



Third Hand. 

Has neither king nor queen. 
Fourth Hand, 



Does not win the trick if against 

him. 
Wins with any card. 



Has no higher card than the one 

against him. 
Has no card between the one he 

plays and the one against him. 



Any card. 

Does not cover or win the trick. 

Any suit discarded. 



Second^ Third^ or Fourth Player, 

Has not the one next below it. 

Card played is his lowest, unless he 
is asking for trumps. 

Is weak in that suit, except great 
strength in trumps has been de- 
clared against him, when he is 
strong. 

Trumps, 



Leads to force his partner. 



Refrains from forcing his partner. 
Does not trump a winning card. 

Trumps a doubtful card. 

Does not trump a doubtful card. 

Plays unnecessarily a high card be- 
fore a low one in any suit. 



Is strong in trumps, unless partner 
has already been forced accident- 
ally and has not led trumps. 

Is weak in trumps. 

Has no trump or has four trumps 
and wants trumps led. 

Is weak in trumps. 

Is strong in trumps, or has no 
trump. 

Is caUing for trumps. 



Illustrative Hand. — A, Y, B, Z are the four players. They sit round 
the table in the above order, A and B being partners against Y and Z. 
A has the first lead ; Z is the dealer. 

It must be remembered that, in actual play, each player can only see 



76 



WHIST, 



his own hand. The play will not therefore be that which evidently on 
inspection of the hands will turn out most successfully. 

The reader is advised to play through the hand with the cards before 
him. 

B's Hand, 

Ace, 7, 4, 3 of spades. 
King, 7, 3, 2 of hearts. 
Ace, 7, 6 of clubs. 
King, 3 of diamonds. 



Y's Hand, 

King, knave, 6 of spades. 
Knave, lo, 9, 6 of hearts. 
King of clubs. 
Ace, queen, 10, 9, 5 of diamonds. 



Z's Hand, 

Queen, 8, 5 of spades. 

Ace, 5, 4 of hearts. 

9, 8, 3 of clubs. 

Knave, 8, 6, 2 of diamonds. 



As Hand. 

10, 9, 2 of spades. 

Queen, 8 of hearts. 

Queen, knave, 10, 5, 4, 2 of clubs. 

7, 4 of diamonds. 

Score, love-all. Z turns up the four of hearts. 



THE PLAY. 

The cards in each trick are placed in the order in which they are 
played, the leader's card standing first. The capital letter in front of 
each card, shows by whom it is played. 




Trick I.— A leads. 




B 



Won by B. 



A leads from his strongest suit. 

Z, being unable to win the trick, plays his smallest card. 



4* 



WHIST. 



77 



Trick II.— B leads. 



B 



4* * 



4. 4. 






9 


s? 


^ 


s? 


9? 


^ 



Won by Y. 

B returns his partner's lead. Having but two left he returns the best. 

This lead is badly judged by B. He should give his partner credit for 
knave, ten, etc., in clubs, and the suit is, therefore, established. Being 
himself strong in spades, and having some protection in diamonds, with 
four trumps to an honor, he should have led a trump, just the same as 
though the command of clubs had been in his own hand. 

Z and A play the lowest cards of their sequences. 

Z cannot hold knave of clubs or he would play it, consequently A has 
it. This, however, by a more experienced player than B, would have 
been taken for granted when the first card was led. 

Trick III.—Y leads. 



B 



0' 















z 




A 


















Won by Y. 

Y now obtains the lead for the first time, and opens his strongest suit 
Having five diamonds he leads the ace. 

Trick IV.— Y leads. 









B 


0^^ 


z 







A 








Won by B. 







V continues hi^ suit. 



78 



WHIST, 



Trick V.— B leads. 



s? 




9 9? 




Ifi^ 




^ ^ 




z 




A 




Y 




<p 




9 9? 




I^S 




^ 9? 



B 



Won by A. 

B leads a trump (see Remarks, Trick 2). 

Z plays his lowest card second hand. As a rule the trump card should 
not be played if the holder has another of equal value, in order to inform 
partner ; but when trumps are led by the adversary the information is 
generally more useful to him, and the trump card should be played. 

A plays his highest card third hand. 



s? 


S? 




^ 


^ 


9 




9 


9? 


9 



Trick VI.— A leads. 




B 


M 



9? 



Won by Z. 

A returns his partner's trump lead. 

Trick VII.— Z leads. 





B 



Won by B. 



Z continues his partner's suit. Knowing that the lead was from five 
diamonds (see Remark, Trick 3), he leads the knave in preference to the 
eight that he may not keep the command. 

A discards from his weakest suit. 

Y wins the knave that he may go on with the diamond, in case he finds 
B with the eight. There is nothing to show that the eight is in Z's hand. 



WHIST. 



n 



Trick VIII.— B leads. 



B 



s? 


9? 


( 


^ 


^ 


<:? 


9? 


s? 



^ 


^ 


<5? 




s? 


<5> 







Won by Y. 

It is clear that A has no more trumps, or he would have trumped the 
knave of diamonds at Trick 7. It is also clear that Y cannot have th« 
five of hearts, as he has played six, nine, and ten (which must be his low- 
est). It is also certain that Z has not the knave and the five of trumps, or he 
would have led the knave before going on with the diamond. Therefore 
the trumps must be divided in the adverse hands, and B draws them, so 
that, when he obtains the lead with the ace of spades, he may give his 
partner the club. 

Trick IX.— Y leads. 



00 001 

1 

00001 


B 




Z 


0% 






Won by Y. 





Y brings in the diamonds. 






Trick X.— Y leads. 








♦ ♦ 




4. 4* 




•!• 


0.0 
0^0 


B 




Z 


•^A-^ 

•?•*•!• 


A 









♦ ♦ 




4. 4. 




4- 






Won by Y. 










Trig 


K XI.— Y le 


ads. 






♦ ♦ 






♦ ♦ 


4- * 


♦ ♦ 


B 


@ 


Z 


^ 


A 




♦ ♦ 








^ ♦ 




4. 4. 



Won by B. 
B puts on ace second hand that he may bring in his partner's clubs. 



8o 



WHIST. 



B 



4. 4- 

•5. 4. 
4, 4. 



Z 





Won by A. 



A B win the odd trick. 



THE WHIST PRIMER. 

Although we should strongly advise players who wish to become mas* 
ters of the game of whist to study the scientific treatise to which we have 
given ample space, it often happens that time is wanting, and that at 
first only a fair conception of how to play whist is desirable. To such 
we present The Whist Primer ; here may be found in a concise form 
the rules and methods of play. After this has been understood the finer 
study of whist can be more readily mastered. 

GENERAL RULES. 

Whist is the game of silence. When talk begins, whist ceases. 

Deal to left, one card at a time, to each of four players until the pack is 
dealt- The last card is the trump,* and should be left face up on the 
table until the dealer plays to the first lead. He then takes it into his 
hand. The game is five points. Each trick above six counts one point. 

The Ace, King, Queen, and Jack of trumps are called Honors ; four 
held by player and partner, together or separately, count four points ; 
three Honors count two ; two Honors do not count. 

As often as not the Honors are not counted. The game of five points 
is won by the odd tricks alone. This way of counting eliminates much 
of the element of chance of late years ; even in conservative England 
counting Honors has been abandoned. 

In case of a misdeal the dealer loses, and the deal passes to the left. 
In playing you are bound to follow suit if you have it. 

Sort your cards carefully, noting the number and value of each. It is 
well to adopt a uniform rule as to the position in your hand of you) 
trumps and your long suit. 



* Many American players cut the trump from a second pack during the deal \ 
the plsiy is for points and not games, and honors as such do not count. 



WHIST. 8 1 

Be careful in playing your small cards : for example, do not play the 
Five when you have the Four* 

Avoid leading from a suit which one adversary trumps, and the other 
discards to. Generally continue a suit to which your partner discards. 

Retain the commandiiag cards in your adversary's long suit as long as 
possible. Play out the commanding cards in your partner's long suit as 
speedily as possible. 

Discard from your shortest or weakest suit. To discard the highest 
card of a suit means that you have entire command of the suit ; to dis' 
i5ard the second best means that you have no other card of the suit. 

Do not lead from a single card. When not leading, play lowest of 
sequences. Lead through strength on your left up to weakness on youi 
right. 

Do not play false cards ; it is more important to avoid deceiving your 
partner than to seek to deceive your adversaries. False play is sure to 
deceive the former, And may not deceive the latter. 

It is generally unwise to finesse in your partner's long suit ; except 
when you hold Ace and Queen, third hand, play Queen. 

Above all things, remember that your partner's hand and your own are 
to be played together as one hand ; to mislead your partner by false 
play or a capricious variation from the established rules, is to render a 
union of the hands impossible, and will convert his play into a mere bhnd 
groping. For instance, if from Ace, King, and others, you lead Ace in- 
stead of King, while it will make no difference in taking that particular 
trick, it tells your partner a whist falsehood ; he thinks that your Ace 
lead is from Ace and Four, or from Ace, Queen, and Jack, and he will 
regulate his play accordingly. 

First Leads in Plain Suits. — Always lead from your long suit; 
if you have more than one long suit of four or more, lead from the 
strongest. Avoid, if possible, a first lead from a suit of less than four. 

If you have five or more trumps, it is generally wise to lead them, un^ 
less you are weak in all the plain suits. If very strong in all other suits, 
/JU may lead trumps from three to four. 

From plain suits, original leads, lead as follows. 

Lead Ace : 

(i) From Ace with four or more others without King. Follow with 
imallest (or next to smallest, if you have five). 



♦ The ** Call and Echo " when employed will vary this rule. 



82 WHIST. 

(2) From Ace, Queen, and Jack, with or without others. Follow witKi 
Queen, if holding not more than one small one. Other\\ise lead Jack. 

These are the only two Ace leads from a long suit. 

Bear in mind that you should lead Ace from Ace and King, when 
you have trumped another suit. 

Lead King : 

(i) From Ace, King, and two or more others. Follow with Ace, unless 
you hold Queen ; if so, play Queen. 

(2) From King, Queen, and two or more others without Jack ; or from 
King, Queen, Jack, and one other, not Ten ; follow with small one, un* 
less you hold Jack ; if so, play Queen. 

These are the only King leads from a long suit. 

Lead Queen : 

From Queen, Jack, and Ten, with or without others. Follow wl^K 
Jack, unless you have five or more ; if so, follow with lowest of sequence. 
This is the only Queen lead from a long suit. 

Lxad Jack : 

(i) From King, Queen, Jack, and not less than two others (without 
Ten). Follow with King, if you have two small ones ; with Queen, if 
you hold more. 

(2) From Jack, Ten, and Nine, with or without others. Follow with 
Ten if holding one card below Nine ; with more, lead Nine. 

These are the only Jack leads from a long suit. 

Lead Ten : 

(i) From King, Queen, Jack, and Ten, with or without others. Fol- 
tow with King, if you have no small card ; otherwise play Jack. 

(2) From King, Jack, and Ten, with or without others (not Including 
Nine). Follow with small one if Ten takes the trick. 

(3) From Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven. 

These are the only Ten leads from a long suit. 

Lead Nine : 

From King, Jack, Ten, and Nine. 

This is the only Nine lead from a long suit. 

Lead small cards from all other hands not stated above ; lead lowest 
from four small cards, and next to lowest from five or more small ones. 

Forced Leads. — Forced leads are those leads from suits of three oj 
less, where the exigencies of the game require a lead from such suitSi 
Lead as follows ; 



WHIST. 



83 



From Ace and two others (without King), King and two others, Queen 
and two others, lead highest, if you have good reason to think that your 
partner is strong in that suit. Otherwise, lead lowest. 

From Jack and two small ones, Ten and two small ones, Nine and two 
small ones, lead highest. 

From the Ace and one, King and one, Queen and one, Jack and one. 
Ten and one, lead the highest. 

Lead Highest. — In returning your partner's long suit, when you 
originally held three of the suit. Always return its commanding card. 

If you have previously discarded one from the suit of four, play as if 
you originally held three. 

Generally when compelled to lead from a suit of three ; always if you 
feel sure that your partner is strong in the suit. 

From two cards, whatever they are. 

Lead Lowest. — In all cases not above mentioned. In returning 
your partner's lead when you originally held four of the suit. From an 
Ace and three small ones. From King and others, (without Queen). 
From Queen, Jack, and two or more small ones. Generally from an 
honor with three or more small ones. From four small ones. 

After Forced LEADS.^After playing highest from Ace and two, 
King and two. Queen and two. Jack and two, Ten and two, if you take 
the trick play the highest left. 

Trumps.— It is generally wise to play a waiting game with a strong 
hand in trumps ; as they are sure to take finally. Rules for plain suit 
leads generally hold good, with following variations : 

From Ace^ King, and not more than five others, play small one. From 
Ace, King, and six small ones, play King and then Ace. 

From Ace, King, and Queen, lead Queen and then King. From Ace, 
King, Queen, and Jack, lead Jack. From Ace and four (without 
King), lead smallest but one. From Ace and six small ones, lead Ace. 
From King, Queen, and two or more small ones, lead small one unless 
you have more than five small ones ; if so, lead King. 

Second Hand. — When a suit is led for the first time, play second 
hand low ; except holding the Ace you put it on a King, on a Jaclg and 
generally on a Queen. 

Second and third leads of same suit, you generally play to take the 
trick, second hand. The safest rule for a beginner to follow is to plaj 
the lowest, second hand. The following are the common exceptions ; 

Holding Ace and King, play King. 

Holding King and Queen, play Queen. 

Holding Ace, Queen, and Jack, play Jack. 



84 WHIST, 

Holding Ace, Queen, and Ten, play Queen. 

Also if you have two high cards of a sequence (as Queen and Jack, 
Jack and Ten), with only one other ; or if you have three high cards in 
sequence with any number, it is considered well to play the lowest of the 
sequence, second hand. With two high cards of a sequence and two 
or moi e others, play lowest. 

If an honor is led, you should generally put a higher one on it ; but 
if strong in suit you may play low. 

Do not trump a doubtful trick second hand, if strong in trumps (four 
or more) ; if weak, trump fearlessly. 

Bear in mind that the correct play, second hand, depends upon the 
state of the game, the cards played, and many other considerations ; it is 
impossible to formulate any simple set of rules to govern the play second 
hand. Experience and observation alone will teach the best play.-^ 

Third Hand. — The safest rule for the beginner to adopt is to play the 
highest you have third hand, except when you cannot play a higher card 
than any played ; and in playing from sequences, play the lowest of the 
sequence third hand. Always watch the fall of the cards from your ad- 
versaries, so as not to waste high cards where smaller ones would answer 
the purpose. 

The variations from third hand high, arise from considerations usually 
belonging to fine play, depend on the state of the game, and cannot be 
formulated into rules. But when you hold Ace and Queen third hand, 
play Queen. 

Fourth Hand. — Play to take the trick as cheaply as possible. If you 
cannot take it, play the lowest you have. Sometimes it is necessary to 
take a trick (especially near the end of the hand ) which is already your 
partner's ; as, for example, to get high cards out of the way, or to get the 
lead, or to enable you to lead up to a weak hand. It is sometimes nec- 
essary to lose the trick fourth hand. All this is a matter of skill and 
judgment, and must depend on the player. 

American Leads. — The following are the principal American leads„ 
which differ from those heretofore given, and about the wisdom of which 
there has been some dispute among European players : 

Lead Ace : 
From Ace, Jack, Ten, and others ; follow with Ten. 

♦Prof. Proctor in "How to Play Whist" has form.ulated rules for second 
hand which the student will find useful for a more thorough knowledge o^ 
play second hand. 



WHIST. 85 



Lead King : 
From King, Queen, Jack, Ten ; follow with Ten. 

Lead Queen : 
From Queen, Jack, Nine, and two others. 

Never lead the Nine from head of sequence, or from suit containing 
either Ace or Queen. Always lead the Nine in opening from King, Jack, 
and others. 

When you open a strong suit with a low card, lead your fourth best. 
When you open a strong suit with a high card follow with your original 
fourth best. 

American players, and skilful ones too, are very prone to play their 
own hand, without regard to their partner's hand. This "going it 
alone " is a distinctively American trait ; it is opposed to the theory and 
philosophy of Whist, which is based upon a combination of the two 
hands ; and it should be avoided. 

General Observations. — Always return your partner's trump lead 
at the very first opportunity. Return highest of two, and lowest of three 
or more. Before returning your partner's long-suit lead, it is generally 
wise tc lead your own. Always do so if your long suit is strong. But 
if you hold the commanding card in your partner's long suit, you must 
return it before leading from your own long suit. 

Bea^ in mind that sound play will not always succeed ; that there are 
few, if any, invariable rules of whist ; that many of them may seem with- 
out reason, which really are founded on the experience of the ablest 
European players. 

No allusion has been made to the "Call for trumps," and the 
" Eclio"; first, because out of place in an elementary treatment of the 
game ; and, second, because in the writer's experience they are falling into 
disuse, especially among American players. A full explanation of them, 
with instructions as to how and when they should be employed, will be 
found in the works of Pole, Clay, Proctor, or Cavendish. They belong, 
however, to fine play. 

Do not attempt to remember the fall of every card. First, keep accu- 
rate run of the trumps ; of your own, of your partner's and your adver- 
saries' long suits, and the fall of the commanding cards in each. Little 
by little, almost intuitively, the fall of the cards will be retained in the 
memory. Watch the play, and do not watch your cards. 

Do not assume to be your partner's critic or instructor except by re- 
quest. It is not only annoying to the other players, but it is worse than 



86 WHIST. 

useless to say to your partner, ** What did you play that eight spot fol 
when clubs led ?" etc., etc. That particular case will not occur again in 
the lifetime of the players ; the learner will learn little or nothing from 
special plays. Confine your instruction to the imparting of general 
rules; as, for instance, " play second hand low"; "always return your 
partner's trump lead," etc., etc. But to manifest impatience, or to scold 
your partner, besides being in the worst possible taste, leads to no good, 
teaches no lesson, and too often results in self-distrust and timidity on 
the part of the player, especially if it be a lady ; she is deterred from 
playing as well as she might through dread of incurring this impatient, 
unkind, and unwise criticism of her play. 

Keep your temper ; keep your patience ; keep the run of the game, 
md shuffle the cards. Bear success or failure with an equal mind. 

WHIST SIGNALLING. 

Of late years the game of Whist has undergone a remarkable develop- 
ment, rather in practice than in theory. To-day is the era of ' ' Signal- 
ling." Whereas, twenty-five years ago, to lead a suit was perfectly un- 
derstood as requiring a partner's return of the suit ; such signalHng has 
been to-day very much amplified. This signalling by the peculiar method 
of playing a sequence, has been decried by many old-fashioned whist 
players and called unfair. It might be called unfair, if certain methods of 
play were agreed upon by two persons, the rest of the players being 
kept in ignot-ance of this signalling. But the methods are well known, or 
supposed to be known by all players, and the opposing parties can make 
use of this signalling if it pleases them, so what is fair for one is fair 
for all. 

ASKIN3 FOR Trumps, and the Echo. — During many years there has 
been a system arranged, termed " asking for trumps," " the signal," and 
"the blue Peter," which indicates that you are strong in trumps and 
that you hold either five trumps or four trumps and two honors, 
and that it is most advantageous to your hand that your partner 
iead you trumps at the first opportunity. This " ask " is indicated by 
your playing an unnecessarily high card, that is, on a trick won by Ace, 
third in hand, you as fourth player throw the Six, and next round play 
the Two, or as second player, play the Four, and then next round, drop 
the Two or Three. Thus, asking for trumps means playing a totally un- 
necessarily high card, when by subseqent play you show you could have 
played a lower card. You must be careful to distinguish between a 
totally unnecessarily high card, and a card played to cover another card, 



WHIST. 



87 



or to protect your partner. If you hold Knave, Ten, and Two of a suit, 
as second player, you play your Ten, on next round you would play your 
Two, if this trick was won by a card higher than your Knave. Your 
T^artner must not assume, from the fall of the Two, that you have asked 
lor trumps ; you have simply played the proper card. If you wished to 
ksk for trumps, with this hand you should play your Knave on the first 
card led. But your partner cannot tell until the third round of the suit, 
Vvhether you have or have not asked for trumps under the above con- 
ditions. Thus the play of the second hand must be watched carefully to 
note whether the card played is, or is not, a protecting card, and not aii 
"ask." With fourth player there is less chance of mistake, for if the 
trick be already won, and he throws a Five or any other higher card, and 
next round plays the Two or Three, it must be an ask. If the card led 
by the original leader be a high card, such as King or Ace, then the play 
of second player is not liable to be misunderstood. No player can ask 
for trumps by his lead. 

Third player may ww with King when he holds Queen, or with Ace 
when he holds King, arid so indicate his signal. 

It may often happen that a player with a strong hand of trumps 
wishes them to be led to him for two reasons : First, that by the card 
his partner leads him he may ascertain or estimate his partner's strength ; 
second, because the caid turned to his right may enable him to safely 
Snesse. Thus with Ace, Queen^ Knave, and one other trump and King 
curned up to the right, it is advantageous that trumps should be led to 
this hand through the King ; whereas if this hand led trumps, the King 
must make, unless Ace be led and the King is unguarded. Thus if one 
partner ask for trumps, the other partner should lead him the highest if 
he hold three, and the lowest if he hold four trumps, unless his partner 
hold the Ace, when he should lead Ace, then lowest of the three re- 
maining. 

Those players who note carefully the fall of every card will scarcely 
ever fail to see the call, whether made by their partner or adversaries. 
Bad players sometimes excuse themselves, when they have omitted to 
notice the fall of the cards, by saying they were not looking out for it. 
Such a remark is a confession to the effect that the fall of the cards is not 
noticed, except probably the fall of Aces, Kings, and Queens. 

To attempt to play Whist when you omit to notice the call for trumps 
is to play at an immense disadvantage. Nearly every moderate player 
now understands the call for trumps, so that if one player out of the four 
does not do so, he is overmatched by those who do. 

There are certain conditions of a gajne when one player, judging from 



88 WHIST. 

the cards in his hand, may ^ see after a few rounds that the only way of 
saving the game is to obtain a trump lead from his partner. Under such 
circumstances he would be justified in asking for trumps, although he 
may not possess the strength indicated as that justifying an original call. 
You should therefore note the cards carefully that are played throughout 
the hand, for your partner may not have called early in the game, but 
may do so after half the cards have been played. 

The Echo. — As a sequel to the *' ask for trumps," another system ©t 
play has been for some time adopted, by which if your partner ask for 
trumps, you can inform him whether you hold four, or more or less than 
four trumps; that is, either to "ask" in trumps when they are led, or 
ask in some other suit after your partner has asked. This echo is a most 
powerful aid, as it is almost certain to enable you to win an extra trick. 
The following may serve as an example : 

Your partner holds Ace, King, Queen, and Ten of trumps ; you hold 
Nine, Plve, Three, and Two. Your partner has asked for trumps^ and 
immediately after leads the Queen. On this you play your Three. He 
then leads King ; on this you play your Two. He then knows you hold 
four trumps. He then leads Ace, on which you play your Five, and 
Knave falls from one adversary. Your partner now holds best trump, 
and could draw the remaining trump if it were in the adversary's hand ; 
but you by the echo have told him it is in your hand, so he will not draw 
it, and you probably make it by ruffmg a losing card. Had you not 
echoed, your partner would draw this tiiimp, as he would conclude it was 
held by the adversaries. 

Those players who do not play the echo, must play at a disadvantage 
against those who do play it. It may sometimes occur that when in the 
first lead you have decided to ask for trumps, the fall of the cards show 
that a trump lead is not desirable. For example : King of Hearts is led 
by your right-hand adversary. You hold five trumps, with Ace ; Knave, 
and four small Hearts, and no winning cards ; you, however, commenccj 
and ask in trumps. To the King of Hearts your partner plays the 
Knave ; original leader follows with Ace. You now know that your part- 
ner can hold only Queen of Hearts, and may hold no more ; so the whole 
Heart suit is against you, and your partner's trumps can be well employed 
in winning tricks on Hearts ; also the adversaries will probably lead 
trumps up to or through you. Instead, therefore, of completing your 
ask, you throw a higher card than the one you played original^, and thus 
conceal your original intention. 

Many very good players are of opinion that the conventioiuil ask fof 
trumps has to a great extent interfered with the high art of Wbtst. They 



WHIST. 



89 



argue that formerly, when the ask was not adopted a fine player would 
almost instinctively know when a trump was desirable, and would act ac- 
cordingly. Now say these objectors, the matter is made so plain by 
the ask that any common observer sees it. There may be some reasons 
for these objections ; but whether or not the objections are sound, yet the 
system is played, and unless you also adopt it you will play to disadvan- 
tage with those who practice it. 

It may be urged, however, that some players very often omit to notice 
the call, and therefore a certain amount of observation is necessary in 
order never to omit noticing the call when either your partner or adver- 
saries give it. 

If you hold five trumps, you may echo with the lowest but two, if this 
Tard is a low one, and then play your lowest to next round ; your partner 
missing the intermediate card, places five in your hand. 

For and Against Signalling. — Arguments for and against signal- 
ling are being constantly advanced, and we present, first, the one favor- 
ing signalling : 

An Advocate of Signalling.— Objections may be classed under 
two heads. 

I. It is said that the game has been changed from a pleasant family 
amusement into a difficult and complicated study, requiring much pa- 
tience and skill to master its intricacies ; and, as a corollary to the above, 
that players of the developed game have an unfair advantage over others, 
when they sit down to play together. 

II. It is described as an act of questionable honesty to play a card with 
any other object than the winning of the trick in progress, or the getting 
rid of a worthless card ; and to play one card in preference to another for 
the purpose of giving information to a partner is said to be a violation of 
the rule which forbids communication between the partners. 

Now with regard to the former objection, it may surely be assumed to 
be clearly understood beforehand, when persons sit down to a game of 
skill, that a keen trial of intellectual strength is the very object aimed at ; 
and that by mutual consent all feelings of forbearance are for a time to 
be laid aside, and every advantage taken which the rules of the game per- 
mit. It may be very reprehensible under ordinary circumstances to knock 
a man down ; but if he puts on the gloves, and stands up to you for a 
trial of skill in boxing, you should certainly knock him down, if you can 
do so consistently with the recognized rules of fair hitting. To turn the 
other cheek to the smitet may be a rule of Christian perfection ; but 
those who think that this rule may not be laid aside for a time by mutual 
consent must not amuse themselves with boxing. Precisely in the same 



90 



WHIST. 



way it IS wrong; in general to entrap your neighbor by offering him som^ 
slight advantage in order that you may gain a greater advantage over hina 
afterward ; but if he sits down to play chess with you, is it therefore 
wrong to offer him the King's Gambit, or any other form of "trap" by 
which you hope to entice him into an unwise move ? 

It may be said that all this is self-evident, and so it is. But then, what 
becomes of the objection to skilful play at whist, or to the fairness of any 
advantage gained thereby ? Indeed I should hardly have thought the ob« 
jection worthy of notice had I not more than once met with it in quar* 
ters where I should have expected something very different. 

With regard to the second objection we must, as a preliminary, lay 
down in distinct terms the axiom, that a method of play which is adopted 
in iiU Whist Clubs, and recommended in books on Whist accessible to all 
players, cannot be in any proper sense of the term dishonest or dishonor- 
able. It may be different to the method in vogue among certain players, 
and it may be occasionally advantageous to those who adopt it ; but if so, 
the advantage is a lawful one — as lawful as that which a knowledge of 
the openings gives to a chess player, or a knowledge of the **cuts and 
guards " to a fencer. If any one chooses to think that family whist, or 
" Bumblepuppy," is preferable to scientific whist, he has a right to his 
opinion ; few good players will agree with him, and there the matter may 
rest. But to call in question the honesty of a method of play which is 
not forbidden by any rule of the game, and is practiced by all good 
players, is to use terms in a sense in which they are not commonly under- 
stood. 

While, however, such play is unquestionably honest, it is at least con- 
ceivable that it may be injurious to the interests of the game. If the 
great majority of whist players were to find themselves hopelessly beaten 
whenever they sat down to play with those of the advanced school ; if 
they found also that the modem developments of the game were so many 
and so difficult, that it was impossible for ordinary people to master them, 
then indeed we might have some reason to fear for the continued pop- 
ularity of that which would cease to be a recreation. But such is not 
the case. 

Of course if any four persons like to take a pack of cards, and play 
with them a game bearing about as much resemblance to whist as skittles 
to chess, there can be no reason why they should not do so ; and this is 
what they must do if they try to play whist without "signalling." If 
there is any truth in the argument against whist signalling, it goes too 
far ; much farther than those who bring it forward probably intend. Al- 
most every card played in the game is a signal ; that is to say, a skilful 



WHIST. 



9« 



partner will draw some inference as to the number or value of the cards 
remaining in the hand of the player. And this is inevitable. It can only 
be from certain combinations of cards that the one played is the propel 
one to play ; and if the partner has any confidence in the player, he will 
credit him with holding one of these combinations. A glance at the cards 
in his own hand may perhaps reduce this information to a more precise 
shape. 

Possibly, however, an objector to signalling may say that there is no 
harm in playing so as to give information to a partner, provided the card 
played is the one which would be played independently of any such 
motive ; but that it becomes dishonest, or at any rate questionable, when 
one card is played in preference to another for that purpose. Who then 
is to judge what was the motive of the player ? I doubt whether he 
could always do so himself. He has to form a rapid judgment between 
various, and sometimes conflicting motives ; and if rules are to be made 
restricting his liberty to play this or that card under particular circum- 
stances, the game will soon cease to be a game at all. 

Every improvement is questioned and attacked when first suggested :, 
so of course the modern developments of whist have had to stancf 
much criticism. I only ask that they may be fairly criticised on their 
merits ; and not condemned by those who have not mastered them, and 
not given them a fair trial. Let any tolerably good whist player learn the 
American leads, and practice them, whether those with whom he playS 
know them or not. I can promise him that he will soon learn to appre- 
ciate them, and that his liking for the best of all games will be greatei 
than it was before. 

But while I have endeavored to defend these conventional methods of 
play simply on their intrinsic merits, and to show that they ought not to 
be regarded as arbitrary signals to a partner, I by no means admit that 
such a defence is in any way necessary to their justification. All writers 
on Whist, from Hoyle to Cavendish, have recommended this or that 
method of play simply because it gives information to a partner, either 
not dreaming that the fairness of such a course could be called in ques- 
tion, or mentioning the notion only to scout it. All good whist players 
adopt such recommendations for this very reason ; and so long as the 
" signal " is given simply by the exercise of the player's undoubted right 
to select one card of a suit in preference to another — so long as no pri- 
vate understanding with a partner has been entered into — for so long, but 
no longer, must I hold the signal to be unquestionably lawful : and if anj 
one is still inchned to raise objections, I reply, " Play Whist without sig- 
nals if you can." 



92 WHIST, ' 

Opposed to Signalling. — Signals are arbitrary, and are as unfair as 
coughing, sneezing, or drumming on the table, used for signalling, 
would admittedly be. If they are actual developments of strategic prin- 
ciples, they are, of course, perfectly fair. 

In the first place it should be remembered that the finest whist players 
yet known knew nothing of our signals. It would probably have sur- 
prised Deschapelles had he been told that the time would come when 
persons caUing themselves whist players would think more of a number 
of arbitrary signals, taxing only the attention, than of all the points of 
strategy which he and his contemporaries regarded as the essence of the 
game. Clay used to say that he had never played with any one who 
came near Deschapelles for rapidity in recognizing when there would 
arise occasion for playing the grand coup (that is, undertrumping his 
partner or throwing away a winning card to avoid the lead when leading 
would involve the loss of a trick out of two which might both be made 
if the coup player were led up to). TJiis is whist. It is strategy of this 
sort which alone makes the game worth playing by intelligent persons, 
who need something more than mere pip- counting to get enjoyment out 
of a card game. But how many of the modern whist players, whose 
whole attention is directed to watching for Peters, Echoes, Penultimates, 
and for opportunities for displaying these signals, ever see the occasion 
for the coup^ even when it stares them in the face ? As for seeing it four 
or five tricks ahead, not one of them ever does. Even the great high- 
priest of the signalling system knows so little in actual practice of the 
grand coup^ that a dozen editions of his book on whist contained, as an 
example of this stroke of strategy, a hand in which he himself had done 
his best to throw away a certain game by resorting to the coup unneces- 
sarily. In his Essays, Cavendish refers to this particular hand as a 
triumph of whist strategy ; and it was not until Mogul, the arch-enemy 
of conventional whist, pointed out the rottenness of the play, that this 
triumphant example of the gra7id coup was finally dismissed to its appro- 
priate limbo. One wonders what Deschapelles would have thought of 
this. If he could study the game just as Cavendish played it, having also 
had the signals explained to him, for they come in to make Cavendish's 
mistakes less excusable, he would probably have spoken somewhat as 
follows: "Aha! I see this system is excellent— ;/^r your adversaries. 
This chief teacher of yours is carefully shown by his adversary, on the 
left, that he has five diamonds. My adversaries were not so accommo- 
dating. And then, having considerately exhausted his mind in looking 
out for this signal, he forthwith proceeds to avoid two obvious paths to 
w'ctory, in order to adopt a course which gives five chances to one against 



WHIST, 93 

success. Oi peut-etre^ in this new whist, which is, I perceive, somewhat 
conventional, there is a certain satisfaction in playing \he grand coup ^ 
even when it is more likely to do harm than good. We were so simple 
(you may hardly credit it) that positively we thought more of winning or 
saving the game than we did of playing coups. Of the signals we knew 
nothing, and so could give our adversaries none of the information you 
considerately supply them with." 

This would not be simply persiflage. There is a truth well worth con« 
sidering by whist players, underlying it all. Here is the most accom- 
plished whist player of the day, not only failing utterly in a point of 
whist strategy in actual play, but actually failing to see his mistakes when 
studying the game through at his leisure. None of the signal-lovers who 
study his book note the mistakes affecting their master's play. Content 
to observe that all the signals are duly hoisted throughout the game, they 
find nothing wrong in the strategy. It is only when the game comes to 
be looked over by one who cares more for whist strategy than for count- 
ing with the signallers, that the mistakes are found out. 

Does not this look as though modern signalling whist were altogether 
inferior to the old-fashioned scientific, that is to say strategic, game ? 

One of the most remarkable results of the signalling system, when 
thoroughly brought into vogue in a company of players of no exceptional 
strength, is the singular disproportion between the ability displayed in 
signalling and the power to make use of the knowledge obtained from 
signals. Your conventional player signals and counter-signals like Harle- 
quin ; but he is generally as helpless as Pantaloon to get any gooc .'rom 
the knowledge he thus obtains. When I asked a player, who thinks a good 
deal of his skill, why he signalled when strong in trumps, he answered 
readily, and rightly enough (though only parrot-like), "Because I want 
my partner to know that I am strong in trumps, and that we ought to 
play a forward game." When I asked, however, what he meant by a 
forward game, and what he considered the proper method of playing 
such a game, it appeared that his ideas were confused in the extreme 
*' Oh, of course one knows what a forward game is ; it means a game in 
which one tries to make a large number of tricks ; my partner knows I 
have plenty of trumps, so that I can probably ruff one of the plain suits, 
if not two, and get extra tricks that way ; or we may get a cross ruff ; or 
— or — bring in a long suit — in fine, we may take advantage of our strength 
generally." Is this too absurd to be believed ? Ask ten players who 
fancy their whist, and are proud in their knowledge of all the signals, 
what is the proper way of utilizing the information given by the signal, 
^d seven out of the te» will talk just such nonsense. Nine out of tei» 



94 



fVfflST. 



who regard tbe Pet^r, the Echo, and the Penultimate (or original fourth), 
as the soul of the scientific game, show in actual practice ^liat they think 
they have done all they need do when in response to the signal they have 
led trumps. Not quite so many, but at least one-half of the ten are quite 
capable of the enormity of forcing their partner, trumps having been 
played for a round or two, after it has become clear that one of the enemy 
matches him in trump strength. Watching a game which presented fine 
opportunities for strategy, the following almost incredible proceedings 
came to pass : — A had responded to a Peter by his partner B, the round 
in which the signal was completed establishing A's suit originally a five- 
card one. Three rounds of trumps showed Z to be ©f equal trump 
strength numerically with B the signaller, each now retaining one trump, 
Z's the higher. Y led from a long suit, in which, after two rounds, it ap- 
peared that all the remaining strength lay between him and Z, who ha,d 
three cards left in it, B having none. A had taken the last round in this 
suit, and now had to lead. If he had only led from his established suit, 
forcing Z, it was all up with Y-Z, whether Z yielded to the force at once 
or not. If Z would not yield to the force at all, three tricks went to A. 
who could then lead his partner's suit, which must be very strong, since 
he had signalled and shown weakness in the two other plain suits. If Z 
yielded to the force, then either he must lead Y's suit or B's. If the for- 
mer, B trumps, and A-B make all the remaining tricks ; if the latter, A-B 
equally make all the remaining tricks. A-B would thus have made four 
by cards, and (as it chanced) the game, for they stood at i to love. What 
A actually did, showed that the most marked skill in regard to whist con- 
ventions may be accompanied by utter ineptitude — one might almost say 
imbecility — in regard to whist strategy. He deliberately forced his part- 
ner by leading Y's suit ! B had no choice but to yield to the fatal stroke 
of his partner, howsoever he may have wailed, Et tu Brute ^ in his heart. 
For, if he had resisted, Y would have taken the trick, very properly play- 
ing his best in order to get out of Z's way, who, it appeared, had origin- 
ally held five in that suit. Y would have led the suit again, and if B 
again passed the trick, Z would have taken it, drawn B's last trump, 
made another trick in his long suit, and the same evil would have resulted 
which actually befel A-B. B trumped then, and led his own suit, making 
two tricks in it ; but then Z ruffed, led Y's suit, and though the hand did 
not result in Y-Z's favor, A-B's strength being overwhelming, A-B made 
®nly two by cards, instead of four, as they would had A played correctly. 
When B remonstrated with his partner, A replied in a way which even 
more clearly indicated his ignorance of whist strategy than his bad play 
itself. (For a man may play badly throug^h carelessness ; defended ba4 



WHIST. 



95 



play IS much more sig^nificant.) " I saw your trump would fall to Z's,** 
he was good enough to explain, ** unless I gave you a chance of making 
it ; so I led a suit which I knew you could ruff." To enable B to make 
that one trick, A had spoiled the whole of B's strategy, and enabled Y-Z 
to save a lost game. , 

With the signalling system, the weaker players are not only engaged 
in a more difficult game because of the approximation of the game to 
double dummy, but that this difficulty is enhanced by a heavy tax on the 
memory and attention, it will be admitted that they are more heavily 
handicapped now, when opposed to really fine players, than they were 
when the older game was played. 

It is practically certain that the signalling system will not be checked 
by any rules (of etiquette^ for no laws can be passed against it) making 
signalling an offense against whist manners. It is too profitable to the 
strong players ; and whether playing for money or for love, the strong 
players will forego no advantage which may enhance their superiority. 
But the weaker players, and those among the strong who are generously 
disposed, are not without the means of checking the evil. Let them 
thoroughly master the signalling system (all but the " echo in plain suits " 
«Rrhich is simply chaotic), let them fall into the constant habit of noting 
<t as played by the enemy (they will find this always useful, and learn 
rather to despise a method which helps their own play so much) ; but let 
them refrain from signalling themselves and constantly inform each 
partner they may play with, that should he signal, he will only be 
enlightening the enemy, not advancing his or their game. This is a 
course by which players of moderate strength may deprive the signalling 
system of more than half its mischievous effects, and yet enjoy their 
recreational rubber. For strong players matched against players of their 
own calibre, there is perhaps no other resource but to play the signalling 
system, difficult and wearisome though it may have made the game. \t 
is not four-handed whist, as known to the finest players of old times, 
which is thus played, however, but an entirely different and much lesf 
attractiT« f am«. 

AMERICAN WHIST LEAGU:^ 

The following rules are the latest additions to the game of whist, ani 
Jiave been generally accepted by all whist clubs in the United States. The 
points of variance from the older rules are not salient, still in some cases, 
where questions arose as to certain technical pomts, the rules of the 
Whist League cover the§e. As the;a^ American rules are concise and 



96 



WHIST. 



plain, we deem them worthy of adoption by all whist players in thii 
country. 

THE LAWS OF WHIST— SCORING. 

1. A game consists of seven points, each trick above six counting one. 
The value of the game is determined by deducting the loser's score from 
seven. 

FORMATION OF THE TABLE. 

2. TTiose first in the room have the preference. If by reason of two or 
more arriving at the same time more than four assemble, the preference 
among the last comers is determined by cutting a lower cut giving the 
preference over all cutting higher. A complete table consists of six. The 
t'oiir having the preference play. 

3. If two players cut intermediate cards of equal value they cut again, 
and the lower of the new cut plays with the original lowest. 

4. If three players cut cards of equal value they cut again. If the 
fourth has cut the highest card the lowest two of the new cut are partners, 
and the lowest deals. If the fourth has cut the lowest card he deals, and 
the highest two of the new cut are partners. 

5. At the end of the game, if there are more than four belonging to the 
table, a sufficient number of the players retire to admit those awaiting 
their turn to play. In determining which players remain in, those who 
have played a less number of consecutive games have the preference over 
ill who have played a greater number ; between two or more who have 
)layed an equal number the preference is determined by cutting, a lower 
.nit giving the preference over all cutting higher. 

6. To entitle one to enter a table he must declare his intention to do so 
before any one of the players has cut for the purpose of commencing a 
new game or of cutting out. 

CUTTING. 

7. In cutting, the ace is the lowest card. All must cut from the same 
pack. If the player exposes more than one card he must cut again. 
Drawing cards from the outspread pack may be resorted to in place of 
cutting. 

SHUFFLING. 

8. Before every deal the cards must be shufHed. When two packs are 
used the dealer's partner must collect and shuffle the cards for the ensuing 
deal and place them at his right hand. In all cases the dealer may shuffle 
last. 

9. The pack must not be shuffled during the play of the hand, nor so as 
xo expose the face of any card. 



WHIST. 



97 



CUTTING TO THE DEALER. 

S6. The dealer must present the pack to his right hand adversary to be 
cut ; the adversary must take a portion from the top of the pack and place 
it toward the centre of the table ; at least four cards must be left in each 
packet ; the dealer must reunite the packets by placing the one not re- 
moved in cutting upon the other. 

11. If in cutting or in reuniting the separate packets a card is exposed, 
the pack must be reshuffled and cut ; if there is any confusion of the cards 
or doubt as to the place where the pack was separated, there must be a 
new cut. 

12. If the dealer reshuffles the cards after they have been properly cut 
he loses his deal. 

DEALING. 

13. When the pack has been properly cut and reunited the dealer must 
distribute the cards one at a time to each player in regular rotation, be- 
ginning at his left. The last, which is the trump card, must be turned up 
before the dealer. At the end of the hand, or when the deal is lost, the 
deal passes to the player next to the dealer on his left, and so on to each 
in turn. 

14. There must be a new deal by the same dealer — 

I. If any card except the last is faced in the pack. 

II. If during the deal or during the play of the hand the pack is proved 
incorrect or imperfect, but any ^rior score made with that pack shall 
stand. 

15. If, during the deal, a card is exposed, the side not in fault may de- 
mand a new deal, provided neither of that side has touched a card. If 
a new deal does not take place the exposed card cannot be called. 

16. Any one dealing out of turn or with his adversaries' cards may be 
stopped before the trump card is turned, after which the deal is valid and 
the cards, if changed, so remain. 

MISDEALING. 

17. It is a misdeal — 

I. If the dealer omits to have the pack cut and his adversaries discovei 
^.he error before the trump card is turned and before looking at any of 
their cards. 

II. If he deals a card incorrectly and fails to correct the error before 
dealing another. 

III. If he counts the cards on the table or in the remainder of the pack. 

IV. If, having a perfect pack, he does not deal to each player the 
proper number of cards and the error is discovered before all have played 
to the first trick. 



98 



WHIST. 



V. If he rooks at the trump card before the deal is completed. 

VI. If he places the trump card face downward upon his own or any 
other player's cards. 

A misdeal loses the deal unless during the deal either of the adversaries 
touch the cards, or in any other manner interrupt the dealer. 

THE TRUMP CARD. 

i8. The dealer must leave the trump card face upward on the table un- 
til it is his turn to play to the first trick. If left on the table until after 
the second trick has been turned and quitted, it becomes an exposed card. 
After it has been lawfully taken up it must not be named, and any player 
naming it is liable to have his highest or his lowest trump called by either 
adversary. A player may, however, ask what the trump suit is. 

19. If at any time after all have played to the first trick, the pack being 
perfect, a player is found to have either more or less than his correct num- 
ber of cards, and his adversaries have their right number, the latter, upon 
the discovery of such surplus or deficiency, may consult, and shall have 
the choice — 

I. To have a new deal ; or 

II. To have the hand played out ; in which case the surplus or missing 
card or cards are not taken into account. 

III. If either of the adversaries also has more or less than his correct 
number there must be a new deal. If any player has a surplus card by 
reason of an omission to play to a trick, his adversaries can exercise the 
foregoing privilege only after he has played to the trick following the one 
in which such omission occurred. 

EXPOSED CARDS. 

20. The following are exposed cards : 

I. Every card faced upon the table otherwise than in the regular course 
of play, but not including a card led out of turn. 

II. Every card thrown with the one led or played to the current trick. 
The player must indicate the one led or played. 

III. Every card so held by a player that his partner admits he had seen 
any portion of its face. 

IV. All the cards in a hand so lowered or held by a player that his 
partner admits that he has seen the hand. 

V. Every card named by the player holding it. 

21. All exposed cards are liable to be called by either adversary, must 
be left face upward on the table, and must not be taken into the player's 
hand again. A player must lead or play them when they are called, pro- 



WHIST. 



99 



vided he can do so without revoking. The call may be repeated until the 
card is played. A player cannot be prevented from leading or playing a 
card liable to be called ; if he can get rid of it in the course of play no 
penalty remains. 

22. If a player leads a card better than any his adversaries hold of the 
suit, and then leads one or more other cards without waiting for his part- 
ner to play, the latter may be called upon by either adversary to take the 
first trick, and the other cards thus improperly played are exposed cards ; 
it makes no difference whether he plays them one after the other or throws 
them all on the table together ; after the first card is played the others are 
exposed. 

23. A player having an exposed card must not play until the adversary 
having the right to call it has stated whether or not he wishes to do so. 
If he plays another card without so waiting, such card also is an exposed 
card. 

LEADING OUT OF TURN. 

24. If any player leads out of turn or before the preceding trick has 
been turned and quitted, a suit may be called from him or his partner 
when it is next the turn of either of them to lead. The penalty can be 
enforced only by the adversary on the right of the player from whom a 
suit can lawfully be called. 

If a player so called on to lead a suit has none of it, or if all have played 
to the false lead, no penalty can be enforced. If all have not played to 
the trick, the cards erroneously played to such false lead cannot be called, 
and must be taken back. 

PLAYING OUT OF TURN. 

25. If the third hand plays before the second, the fourth hand may also 
play before the second. 

26. If the third hand has not played and the fourth hand plays before 
the second, the latter may be called upon by the third hand to play his 
highest or lowest card of the suit led, or if he has none, to trump or not 
to trump the trick. 

REVOKING. 

27. A revoke is a renounce in error, not corrected in time. A player 
renounces in error when, holding one or more cards of the suit led, he 
plays a card of a different suit. 

28. A renounce in error may be corrected by the player making it before 
the trick in which it occurs has been turned and quitted, unless either he 
or his partner, whether in his right turn or otherwise, has led or played to 
the following trick, or unless his partner has asked whether or not he haf 
any of the ^^ f e^unced. 



lOO WHIST. 

29. If a player corrects his mistake in time to save a revoke the card 
improperly played by him becomes an exposed card. Any player or play- 
ers who have played after him may withdraw their cards and substitute 
others ; the cards so withdrawn are not liable to be called. 

30. The penalty for revoking is the transfer of two tricks from the re- 
voking side to their adversaries. It can be claimed for as many revokes 
as occur during the hand. The revoking side cannot win the game in 
that hand ; if both sides revoke neither can win the game in that hand. 

31. The revoking player and his partner may require the hand in which 
the revoke has been made to be played out, if the revoke loses them the 
game ; they nevertheless score all points made by them up to the score 
of 6. 

32. At the end of a hand the claimants of a revoke may search all the 
tricks. If the cards have been mixed the claim may be urged and proved 
if possible ; but no proof is necessary and the revoke is established if after 
it has been claimed the accused player or his partner mixes the cards be- 
fore they have been examined to the satisfaction of the adversaries. 

33. The revoke can be claimed at any time before the cards have been 
presented and cut for the following deal, but not thereafter. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

34. If a player is lawfully called upon to play the highest or lowest of a 
suit or to trump or not to trump a trick or to lead a suit and unnecessarily 
fails to comply, he is liable to the same penalty as if he had revoked. 

35. Any one during the play of a trick and before the cards have been 
touched for the purpose of gathering them together, may demand that 
the players draw their cards. 

36. If any one, prior to his partner playing, calls attention in any man- 
ner to the trick or to the score, the adversary last to play to the trick may 
require the offender's partner to play his highest or lowest of the silt led, 
or, if he has none, to trump or not to trump the trick. 

37. In all cases where a penalty has been incurred the offender must 
await the decision of the pla/er entitled to exact it. If the wrong player 
demands a penalty, or a wrong penalty is demanded, none can be en* 
forced. 

38. When a trick has been turned and quitted it must not again be seen 
until after the hand has been played. A violation of this law subjects the 
offender's side to the same penalty as in case of a lead out of turn. 

39. If any player says " I can win the rest," ** The rest are ours," '* We 
have the game,'* or words to that effect, his partner's hand must be laid 
upon the table ana treated as exposed cards 



DUPLICATE WHIST, lOl 

40. League clubs may adopt any rule requiring or permitting methods 
of scoring or of forming the table different from those above described. 

CONCLUSION OF WHIST, 

** The game consists of ten points y See Pole's Rules. The old-fasb 
ioned method of counting ten points is out of use. In the United States 
a game of five points is common, and so is the game of seven points. 
Honors do not count, only tricks. To score points with honors is, to-day, 
then, exceptional in the United States. In remote parts of England only 
are honors scored. 

As to whether five or seven should constitute a game, we incline toward 
the game of seven points, for the reason that this game being the longer, 
the better are the chances of the cards being equalized. Good play then 
comes more conspicuously to the front. 

As to the trump card. The last card of the dealer, the fifty-second 
card, is turned, and is the trump. This is the rule, and should never be 
deviated from. Sometimes the trump is made in France and Germany 
on cutting a card in an additional pack. Whist, for convenience, being 
played with two packs, and the card thus cut in the other pack is made 
trump. This is not Whist, and is contrary to all the rules of the game. 
Much fine play is often made depending on the trump card turned. To 
make a trump, not in the dealer's hand, must then never be permitted. 
It is a bastard whist. It may be remarked that Solo Whist, though a 
good game, is not whist. 



DUPLICATE; WMIST. 

This game is sometimes called *' Retrospective Whist." Having dealt 
the cards as usual, you play them according to the existing rules ; but 
then, when the game is over, instead of dealing the cards afresh, the 
same hands which have just been played are again taken by the four 
players : A and C, however, now having the cards which B and D held, 
while B and D take the hand just played by A and C . Thus the same hands 
are played out a second time, and a score is kept so that it may be seen 
which pair of partners has made the most of the cards they have successfully 
held. And this process being repeated with every game, the rubber is 
finally said to be won by the two players who, under the above conditions, 
have shown the greater skill. Skill, in short, alone tells in Duplicate 
Whist, chance having nothing whatever to do with the result : for if one 



I02 



DUPLICATE WHIST. 



pair of partners gfet all four honors in their hands in the first game, thelf 

rivals will hold them, as a matter of course, in the next. 
A few technical details are necessary, in order to explain how the record 

of the cards dealt to the four players may be kept, also of the play, so 

that the game may be duplicated. 

Procure a pack of blank business cards, 5x3 inches, and fill them up, 

or have them printed, as shown by the diagram A. You have here the 
4 suits, S. spades, H. hearts, C. clubs, D. dia- 
monds. As soon as the cards are dealt, some 
one designated beforehand, looks at the hands* 
and marks them down on the blank cards, A 
standing for an Ace, K for a King, Q for a 
Queen, and J for a Jack. The other cards are 
designated as to numbers, as "i" for a deuce, "^" 
for a nine, etc. On the blank space on top of the 
four cards, one for each player, is written " First 
Round," and the partners are designated as A 
and B, Y and Z. At the bottom of the card is 
written ** Dealer " on the card of the person 
who deals, and the trump is designated not only 
as to suit, but the exact card turned. It is found 
to be convenient, to have a piece of pasteboard 
on which these cards are kept in their places by 

means of elastic straps. The scorer is provided with another card, which 

gives the results. This is known as the " Result Card," and it is made 

in this way: 



I. . 


S. H. C. D. 


2. . 




'?.. 




4. 




6 




7.. 




« ; 




9.. 




10.. 




II. • 




12., 




11.. 




Diagram A. 



ist hand . . 


A. B. 


Resu 


LT. 

Tst hand . . 


Y. Z. 


2 ** ..••.•••>••••••••••••• 


2 " 1 


•? ** ....•...>>•••••••..••• 


3 *! • 

4. * . . 




A. * ......... .•>....>.« 




c •• ,,. ,, 


1 ^v".v.v.:":':::::::::: 


6 « :;.!.:..;...!.;.;!:.!! 




n ** . .. 





On this Result Card, the tricks taken over six, are recorded, with the 
names of the players. 

If it be thought worth while to follow out the exact game, a score of 
whist can be kept in this way, which is taken from actual play: 



DUPLICATE WHIST. 



103 



A Y B Z 




S. H. C. D. 


S. H. C. D. 


S. H. C. D. 


S. H. C. D. 


I.. 
2. . 


6 

K 

K 


A 

J 

2 


4 

9 

A 


3 

7 

:: :: a '. 


4. . 


.. .. K .. 


.. .. 6 .. 


. . . . 4 . . 






.. K .. .. 


. . 2 . . ,, 


"X. 


2 


I :: 8 :: 


10 


:: 6 : : 


7. . 


.. .. 2 . . 


.. .. 7 . . 


. . . . "X . . 


8.. 


. . . . «; 


t; 


. . . . 10 . , 


.. .. J .. 


0. . 


'1 


4. 


.. Q . . .. 


.. A .. .. 


10. . 


.. .. . . 


8 . :; :: 


. . . . 2 ,. 


. . . . . • 7 


II. . 


:: :: .. 6 


. . 10 . . . . 


.. .. .. 


:: 8 :: / 


12. . 


A 


. . 7 . . .. 


, 10 


8 

Q 


I^. . 





;. J ;: :; 


J 











The first hand A dealt, and diamonds were trumps, the ace having 
been turned. You read it a line at a time. A played 6 of spades, Y the 
ace, B the 4, Z the 3 of spades. 

Sometimes results are g^iven on the same cards as those used to show 
what are the hands of each player ; but this is likely to lead to confusion. 
There are many ingenious methods of showing what are the exact cards 
dealt, but these are more or less cumbersome. The one above explained 
seems to l)e the simplest, the most accurate, and most readily obtainable. 

In all cases where Duplicate Whist is played, there should be some one, 
well acquainted with whist, who must keep the tally cards, otherwise there 
is confusion. You never can play Duplicate Whist in a rapid way, for it 
takes time to write down what are the cards. This may be said in its fa- 
vor, that it is the only method, by means of which good play can be dis- 
tinguished from poor play, and on that account, Duplicate Whist should 
be played by all whist clubs. 

The real test of Duplicate Whist, is to allow several days to intervene, 
between a game, and the playing of it a second time. 

The game can be played without the whist trays. By playing at two 
tables eight persons can enjoy the game with two decks of cards. 
When the two games have been completed, the players change tables 
and positions. This method is obvious without further explanation. 

A patent deck of cards made of celluloid, with dials between the back 
and front of the cards, also enables one to play the game with but one 
pack of cards. 



I04 DUMMY WHIST. 

DUMMY WHIST. 

Three players play this game. Four hands are dealt, but the extra hand 
is thrown upon the table, face upward, and is known as "Dummy." With 
the following exceptions the rules of Whist govern this game: 

Dummy deals at the beginning of each rubber and is not punished for 
revoking, as his adversaries see his cards. If the hand is turned before 
the revoke is discovered the play stands. If Dummy's partner revokes 
he is liable to the usual penalties. 

As Dummy is blind and deaf, his partner is not penalized for exposing 
cards or for saying that he would take a certain trick. If, however, he 
leads from Dummy when he should lead himself, or vice versa, a suit may 
be called from the hand which should have led. 

The policy of the game is obvious. It shows the expediency of leading 
a card that strengthens your paitner; the benefit of pursuing an old suit 
rather than introducing a fresh weak one, etc. 

DOUBI.E DUMMY. 

This game is played by two players, who each play a Dummy. The 
laws are the same as in Dummy Whist, except that there is no misdeal, 
as the deal is a disadvantage. 

The players and the Dummies deal in turn. Double Dummy is the 
favorite game with expert whist players. It is the very best method by 
which the beginner can study the great game Whist. 



SOLO WHIST. 105 



SOLO W^HIST. 

Solo Whist can be played by four and five, or three and four per* 
sons. When five play, the fifth comes in for four games, and stays out 
one game, as in Skat (see Skat, page 323, for four players). In the same 
way, when there are four, three play, and the fourth stays out, as in 
Skat. 

Solo Whist is, however, a game of four. When played with four an 
entire pack is used. 

The deal is cut for as in Whist. Cards are given three at a time, until 
the fourth round, when one card is given at a time, until each player has 
thirteen cards. The last card is turned, is the trump card, and belongs 
to the dealer, as in Whist. 

Cards have the same value as in Whist. The ace is the highest, then 
king, queen, knave, the deuce being the lowest. 

There are various games to be made in Solo, which a Boston player 
will at once understand. 

The games are : (i), Proposition, or Proposal, which calls on the part of 
another player for an Acceptance ; (2), The Solo ; (3), The Misery ; (4), 
The Abundance ; (5), Misery on the Table ; (6), Abundance Declared. 

The lowest call is the Proposition and Acceptance, the highest Abun- 
dance Declared. " 

When all pass, or there is no declare, according to prior arrangement, 
a new deal may be in order, the deal passing, or a general Misery may be 
played. The person making the most tricks, then passes the other play- 
ers three counters each. Sometimes the player taking the last trick is 
mulcted two counters, to be paid to each of the other players. 

Differing from Whist, there are no fixed partnerships. A partner is 
asked for, and help is given or not, at the option of the players. It may 
so happen that a player proposing may find a partner to his immediate 
right or to his left or as his vis-h-vis. When a Proposition is made and 
accepted by some one, the two players associated are to make eight tricks 
between them. The other two players try to prevent the making of the 
eight tricks. 

A, B, C, D are playing Solo Whist. A has B to his left, then C is oppo- 
site to A, and D to A's right. A is after D, tha dealer, and has the first 
call, and passes, and says ** I pass." B, C or D may call for a partner in 
Proposition. A can become his partner. The act of passing does not 
prevent his (A's) partnership, but in no other position has a player whG 
has once passed, the option of passing. 



I06 SOLO WHIST. 

Trumps are used precisely as in Whist. You must follow suit. If you 
have not the suit, you may trump, or over trump, or not trump, at pleas- 
nre. In Proposition the trump card turned remains the trump. 

The Solo, is when a player declares he will take five tricks without as- 
sistance. He plays alone. The three others are against him. The 
trump card turned remains trumps. 

The Misery, is when a player declares he will take no trick. The other 
players try to make him take a trick. He loses if he takes a trick. 

The Abundance, is when a caller proposes to make alone nine tricks. 
He may make it in any suit he pleases, indifferent to the trump card turned. 
Another player may, however, call Abundance in the trump color turned, 
then the Abundance in the trump suit is better, being counted the higher, 
and he has the preference. A caller in Abundance must at once desig- 
nate the suit, as '* I call an Abundance in diamonds, or in trumps." 

Misery on the Table, is when a player lays his cards on the table, face 
upwards, and is to take no tricks at all. As in Boston and Skat, there is 
no trump. The cards have the same values as before. 

Abundance Declared, is to make all the thirteen tricks. Any trump 
may be selected. He has this advantage, he takes the lead. An Abun- 
dance Declared in the turned trump is the highest, as it is in simple 
Abundance. If the player of this Abundance Declared loses a trick, he 
4oes not win, 

STAKES. 

For a Proposition Accepted, six counters* 

Solo, six counters. 

Misery, twelve counters. 

Abundance, eighteen counters. 

Misery on the Table, twenty-four counters. 

Abundance Declared, thirty-six counters. 

There are several methods of increasing the penalties in Proposition, 
Solo, and Abundance. One counter is added for every trick made over 
the declare, or one counter for every trick less. Thus a Proposition with 
one more trick, or nine tricks, the stakes received would be seven 
counters. If Proposition fall short one, or only seven tricks were made, 
it would be seven. This method holds good in all cases, but not for the 
Miseries or for Abundance Declared. It may be wise to increase penat 
ties in this way, as it prevents wild play. 

If four play, A, B, C, D, and A makes or loses a call, he pays B, C, D, 
ar if he win, B, C, and D pay A. Say A plays a Solo, the penalty ol 



THREE-HANDED SOLO WHIST. 107 

which Is six, and wins. He receives eighteen chips, or if he lose, he pay> 
eighteen chips, or more according to loss of tricks. If there be a fifth 
playing, he is payed, or the extra man pays, as the case may be. 

A player calling Proposition and finding no response, need not play. 
He can pass if no reply comes. A player can always augment his call. 
He might call a Proposition, and if no response came, then make it Solo. 
But if once Proposition is accepted, he is bound to it. 

Calling goes round the table as the cards are dealt. 

Solo Whist is a game, the rules of which are not difficult to acquire, 
but it requires a good deal of skiU to play it properly. 

The penalties for a revoke are stringent. A player revoking cannot 
win. He has to pay twice the penalty. If a partner make a revoke, his 
fault is imposed on his associate or associates. If in Proposition and ac- 
ceptance a revoke is made by either side, two pay the other two double. 
If one player, trying to make a Solo, revokes, he pays the other three 
double, or the reverse is carried out. The rule works both ways. 



THREE-HANDED SOLO 
^WHIST. 

This game is like the four-handed Solo Whist, only it is played with 
forty, or with thirty-nine cards. 

In playing with forty cards, all the twos, threes, and fours are discard- 
ed, which leaves forty cards. Thirteen cards are given to each of the 
three players, and that makes thirty-nine, and there is one card, the for- 
tieth, over. This is turned and is the trump, but is not taken into the 
hands. The other way is to take out one suit, generally diamonds. This 
leaves thirty-nine cards, or each player receives thirteen cards. The last 
card is turned and is trump, and belongs to the dealer. The taking out 
of the twos, threes, and fours, makes the more amusing game of th« 
two. 

There are no Propositions permitted in the three-handed game. AH 
the other calls are the same as in four-handed Solo Whist. 

A fourth player may be taken, as in Skat (see page 323). 

Both these games have been sometimes called Ghent Whist, and havt 
some features of Boston. A good Whist player can at once seize on tht 
leading methods of playing this interesting game. 



io8 



BRIDGE WHIST. 



BRIDGE WHIST. 

(Rules compiled from Best Authorities.) 

Bridge Whist, after an existence of forty years, has come into such 
favor that the great game poker is second to it. In Turkey, Kgypt, and 
the Riviera it has been played as khedive. Holland has had a variation, 
and in Russia the game has been played under the name yeralash. 

In May, 1903, the clubs of Paris and lyondon passed laws that no 
member could lose more than a stipulated sum in any one month. These 
rules were made because several members of prominent clubs had ruined 
themselves at play. 

To-day in no two courtnes are the rules of play the same. The rules 
given here are compiled from the best authorities in different countries. 

THE RUI^DS. 

A full pack of 52 cards, which rank as in Whist, are used. Four per- 
sons play as a rule, but five or six may do so. With more than four the 
four who shall play the first rubber are selected by cutting. The four 
thus selected cut for partners, choice of seats and cards. 

The proper method of cutting for cards is to spread them upon the 
table, face downward. Kach player selects a card and turns it face up- 
ward. The four drawing the lowest cards play the first rubber. Then 
the four cut for partners in the same manner, the two cutting the lowest 
cards playing against the other pair. The partner cutting the lowest 
card deals. All ties are decided by the tying players cutting again. 

POSITION AT THE TABI^E). 

Partners sit opposite to one another and are designated by their posi- 
tions in the first trick of the deal. The dealer's partner is the dummy. 
The leader or eldest hand sits on the dealer's left, and his partner^ known 
as the pone, sits opposite, as in the following diagram: 

Dummy. 



I^eader. 




Pone. 



Dealer. 



BRIDGE WHIST, 



109 



In hands used to illustrate games the letters used in the diagram are 
placed at the head of columns to indicate the leader and the other 
players on the first trick. 

DEAUNG. 

Two packs should be used. While the dealer is shuffling and passing 
the cards to the pone to be cut, the dummy shuffles the second deck and 
places them on his right hand ready for the next deal. The dealer dis- 
tributes the cards one at a time to each player until the pack is ex- 
hausted. There are no misdeals in Bridge, as the deal is a disadvantage, 
and no trumps are turned. Whenever there are irregularities in the deal 
the same dealer again deals. 

If the dealer or his partner expose a card his adversaries can demand a 
new deal, and vice versa. Anything is an irregularity that would be ir- 
regular in a Whist deal, exposed cards, reversed cards in the deck, etc. 

If a player has less than 13 cards and plays, the deal stands; if a player 
deals out of turn or with the wrong cards, unless the error is corrected 
before the first card is led, it stands; no player can cut nor shuffle nor 
deal for his partner without his opponents' consent. If the pack is dis- 
covered to be imperfect ^r incorrect there must be a new deal with a 
new pack, but all scores made with the imperfect pack stand. 

SCORING. 
The score is kept on a skeet of paper. The common form in use 
follows : 



WK. 


THKY. 


Points. 


Honors. 


Points. 


Honors. 



The score should be kept with a heavy red, blue, or green pencil, and 
should be in such a position that each player can see always the state of 
the game. The honor points are placed in one column and the trick 
points in another. 



no BRIDGE WHIST, 

Although two separate scores are played for, the points made by tricks 
only win the game. Trick points are made by fixing a value to each 
trick above six which two partners capture. Kvery trick beyond six on the 
book counts points according to the suit which on that hand is trumps. 
Thirty points is the game, but if a player has 28 points and makes 60 on 
hand he is credited with 88 points, and a line is drawn beneath the score 
to indicate that the game has been won. At the end of the hand the 
side winning the most tricks announces the number, as ''One by cards," 
or ''Two by cards," etc. 

Three games of thirty or more points count a rubber. If the same 
partners win the first two games the third is not played. The side that 
wins the rubber gets a bonus of 100 points, which is added to its score. 
The total number of trick points and honor points are then added up and 
the lowei* score is deducted from the higher, and the difference is the 
value of the rubber in points. 

MAKING THE TRUMP. 

After the deal the dealer examines his hand and then announces the 
suit that shall be trumps, or he elects to play without a trump suit. He 
is guided in this by the value of tricks when certain suits are trumps. 
The table of trick values follows: 

When there is no trump each trick counts 12; when hearts are trumps 
each counts 8; diamonds trumps, each counts 6; with clubs trumps each 
trick counts 4, and when spades are trumps each trick counts 2 points. 

With the game 30 points, three tricks at no trumps, four tricks in 
hearts, and so through the suits, are necessary to win. 

Another thing that must be considered is the value of the honors the 
hand contains. The honors in Bridge are the ace, king, queen, jack 
and ten of the trump suit. When there is no trump the four aces are the 
only honors. 

Three out of five honors, simple honors, is in value equal to two tricks 
in that suit, while four honors held by partners is equal to four tricks, 
and five held in one hand is equal to five tricks. The honor values, 
tabulated for convenience, follow: 

If the trump suit is 

Three honors count 

Four honors count 

Five honors count 

Four in one hand count 

Four in one hand, one in partner's 

Five in one hand 



pades. 


Clubs. 


Diamonds. 


Hearts. 


4 


8 


12 


16 


8 


16 


24 


32 


10 


20 


30 


40 


16 


32 


48 


64 


18 


z(> 


54 


72 


20 


40 


60 


80 



BRIDGE WHIST. ill 

To remember these values is easy if the value of the spade suit is 
learned. Clubs are twice as valuable as spades, diamonds three 
times as valuable, and hearts are worth four times spades. 

With no trump suit: Three aces between partners are worth 30, four 
worth 40, while four aces in one hand are worth 100. 

The score by honors does not help to win or lose the game, but it has 
a great deal to do with the ultimate value of the rubber. It happens at 
times that the side losing the game by tricks has such a large honor score 
that, in spite of the bonus of 100 given to the winner of this side, it has 
a majority of the points. This happening, however, is obviously rare, as 
the loo-point bonus generally prevents such occurrences. 

Ivittle Slam, the winning of twelve tricks by one side, counts 20 
points by honors, while Grand Slam, the taking of thirteen tricks, gives 
40 points in the honor column. 

Chicane is when a player has no trump in his hand. This adds to his 
partner's honor column and reduces the sum of the opponents' honor 
score by the amount of simple honors. Going over, or doubling, never 
affects the scores that go in the honor column. 

When the dealer is not strong enough near the end of the game to 
feel certain of winning on the deal, he will rarely make it a black trump. 
He can then leave it to his partner, saying: "You may make it, partner." 
The partner then has to make it whether he wishes to or not. If he is 
weak he will make it spades. Neither side must make any declarations. 
If the dummy names a trump without being requested to, either of his 
adversaries may demand that it stand or may insist on a new deal. If 
either adversary make a declaration, the dealer can demand a new deal 
or play, as he thinks best. 

DOUBUNG. 

After the trump is made it cannot be changed, but the adversary can 
double. He will always do this if he thinks he can make the odd trick. 
He doubles by announcing, "I go over." The dealer may have made it 
hearts, then the value of the odd trick, instead of being 8, becomes 16. 
The same if "no trumps" are declared. The odd trick is worth 24 in- 
stead of 12. 

The eldest hand has the first say. If he does not wish to go over be 
says, "Shall I play?" If his partner wishes to double he can then so de- 
clare. If the eldest hand plays without this question, the pone cannot 
double. 

If the eldest hand or the pone doubles, the player who named the 
trump can double again by simply saying, "I go back." If he does not 
wish to do this he simply says, "Enough." Going back can be continued 



112 BRIDGE WHIST, 

indefinitely, buli in some clubs a rule has been made which limits the 
doubling to eight times the original value of the tricks. 

If the pone doubles out of turn, the player who made the trump can 
let it stand or not as he pleases. If the pone indicates that he will not 
double out of his turn, his partner cannot double. If a player goes over 
or goes back out of his turn, it is for the adversary who made the last 
declaration to say whether the irregular declaration shall stand. 

After the trump suit is announced the eldest hand leads, and as soon as 
the cards ^re on the table the dummy places his hand on the table, face 
upward, and he cannot make a suggestion or touch a card unless requested 
to by his partner. Should the dealer renounce to any suit, the dummy 
can call his attention to it by asking, *'No clubs, partner?" This saves 
the revoke, if one has been made. He should also call, attention to a 
lead from the wrong hand by the dealer. If, however, the dummy calls 
the dealer's attention to any penalty that he is entitled to, the dealer 
cannot exact that penalty. 

The rules of play are the same as in Whist. There is no penalty if 
the dealer exposes cards, but if his adversaries expose any, lead out of 
turn, play two cards to one trick, the exposed card must lie on the table 
and the dealer can call it at any time, unless the play of the card neces- 
sitates a revoke. There is no penalty if the dealer lead out of the wrong 
hand. If this error is not discovered before all four have played, it can- 
not be corrected. If the adversary leads out of turn the dealer may call 
a suit from the one that should have led, or if it was neither's turn to 
lead he can call it from the first who obtains the lead. If the dealer 
takes his hand from a card it cannot be changed. If the third hand 
plays ahead of the second, the fourth may play before his partner. If the 
fourth plays before his partner, the dealer or dummy can call upon the 
second hand to win or not to win the trick. 

If a player, except dummy, forgets to play and the error is not dis- 
covered until the next trick, a new deal can be called for. A player 
putting two cards on a trick is liable for any revokes, even though he 
discovers his error and the tricks are searched and the superfluous card 
returned to him. If two or more cards are played at once, the dealer can 
designate the one he wishes played. A revoke can be corrected at any 
time before the trick is turned. If the player making the correction is an 
adversary of the leader, the leader can call on him to play the highest or 
lowest card of the suit, or he can require that the card be permitted to lie 
exposed upon the table. There is no penalty if dummy revokes nor if 
the dealer corrects his revoke in time. The penalty of a revoke is the 
loss of three tricks for every revoke. The revoking side cannot go game 



BRIDGE WHIST. 



"3 



on the hand, but must stop at 28, while tricks taken for the revoke pen- 
alty do not count toward slams. 

If the dealer mistakenly says, *'I take the rest," and his adversaries 
throw down their hands, their cards cannot be called, as they can if they 
should do so otherwise. 

After the hand is finished the points and honors are scored. If the 
trump was hearts and the dealer made three tricks, his side scores in the 
WE) side, under points, 24 points. If he and his partner had three 
honors, he counts in the honor column 48. Another hand is played then, 
and if the same side win and make 30 tricks the game is won and the 
rubber is not played. 

THE PLAY. 

The first lead is made blindly, as the dummy does not expose his hand 
until the card is on the table. This lead should never be a trump unless 
ten-aces or guarded kings are held in all outside suits. Always lead a 
card that will permit you to hold the lead until you see dummy's hand. 

Whenever you hold the king and the queen, or king ace, or ace, king, 
queen, lead the king. The rules as to leads are as numerous as those in 
Whist and in many cases are like those in Whist. 

A trump signal is never used. If you get the lead, return your 
partner's suit. I^ead the highest of two and the lowest of three. 

ADvici: TO be:ginne:rs. 

With four aces always make no trump. With three aces the hand 
should be no-trumper, unless the hand is remarkable in the red suits. 

With two aces and protection in a third suit there should be no trump, 
as protection in a suit is almost a certain trick. 

With only one ace a no-trumper should never be made, unless there 
is exceptional strength in all the other suits. 

W^ithout an ace a no-trumper should never be made, tjmless the player 
has a phenomenal hand in court cards. 

With a suit missing, a no-trumper may be risked generally, but you 
stand a chance to lose the odd trick. 

With two missing suits a no-trumper should never bq risked, unless 
the player has six or seven tricks in his hand. 

After considering the chances of a no-trumper, the chances of hearts 
as trumps are considered and then diamonds and so to spades. The mak- 
ing of spades is always an acknowledgment of weakness. 

For making hearts five trumps with two honors should be the minimum. 
Even then, unless you have ace and king, it is not safe if you have noth- 
ing as good as queen in other suits. 



114 BRIDGE WHIST. 

Five hearts and one honor is not safe, unless you have protection in 
two other suits. 

With ace, king, queen, and jack of hearts you should make it hearts. 
Even if you lose by tricks you make 64 in honors. 

With four hearts and three honors hearts can be made. The honors 
count so high in hearts that they are worth playing for. 

In considering other trumps the same factors guide except in diamonds. 
Kven with five trumps diamonds should not be made without an honor in 
the hand. 

To consider each suit would take a whole book, which is not possible 
in an elementary treatise of this kind. A player soon learns what is 
safe and what is not. 

In discarding always discard your strong suit. 

DUPLICATE BRIDGE. 

In this variation of Bridge the trays used in regular Duplicate Whist 
can be used. A sheet of paper ruled off in such a manner as to show 
the deals, trumps, points made and points lost, is used to score on. 

The game can be played with any number of tables from two up. It is 
better to divide a large number of players into sections of not more than 
7 tables each, so that the game will not become tiresome. 

The trays are numbered on the back and each pocket is numbered so as 
to indicate the dealer. An arrow is also on the tray, and this arrow should 
always point in the same direction. At the first table trays numbered 
from I to 4 are placed, at the second 5 to 8, at the third 9 to 12, etc. 

At the start the cards must be shuffled by the player sitting opposite 
the mark on the tray indicating the dealer. When the hands have been 
played they are placed in the trays without being shuffled. The pro- 
cedure is the same as in Bridge, except that the cards are played in front 
of each player as in Duplicate Whist. The dealer does not play his 
dummy partner's cards, but calls out the card he wishes played. The 
cards are turned and the tricks kept count of as in Duplicate Whist. 

When the hand has been played and the score entered, the cards are 
placed in the tray and passed to the ^next table. After four deals, the 
pair A and B having won, they move to the next table and Y and Z 
keep their seats. A and B at all tables move in the same direction. 
The trays played with always go in the opposite direction from A and B. 

There is no dealing of cards in the second round. The dealer takes 
his cards from the pocket of the tray opposite him and makes the trump 
or passes. After four deals the A and B players again move forward^ 
the Y and Z partners always remaining in their seats. 



BRIDGE WHIST. 



"S 



If there are six tables A and B will meet the trays at the fourth 
table which they played with at the first. To avoid this A and B skip 
the fourth table in a six-table game, the fifth in an eight-table game, etc. 

The scores are kept on specially ruled slips of paper. The names of 
the players, with their pair numbers, the number of the table at which 
they started, are entered at the top of the slips. The first column on the 
slip shows the number of the deal, the second the number of their ad- 
versaries, the third the trump, then points and honors won, and points 
and honors lost, then in the last column the gross loss and gross gain. 

At the end of the last game the winning points are added and the 
points lost are added, and then the totals are subtracted and must be 
a total plus or a total minus. 

Then all the scores of the A and B pairs are added up and divided 
by the number of pairs playing, to find the average. The same method 
is used in discovering the average of the Y and Z pairs. 

Say the average is 250 and No. 4's score was 380, the average taken 
from 380 would leave 130 for No. 4. Then if No. 5 had 390, No. 5's 
score would be 140 and the top score. 

If two pairs play, as in Duplicate Whist, the score is kept as in that 
game, and the side making the greatest gains wins. 

DUMMY BRIDGE. 

Bridge Whist, properly speaking, is Dummy Whist. In Bridge there 
are four players, however, one of whom lays down his hand. If, how- 
ever, four players are not available, three play and the game becomes 
"Dummy" Bridge. 

The simplest method of play follows: 

The players cut for partners, choice of seats, cards, etc., as in the 
ordinary game. The player cutting the lowest card has the choice and 
is the lone player for the game or the rubber. In case of a rubber the 
100 points are added to the winner's score as in the ordinary game. In 
the second rubber the partners cut to see who will be the single player. 
On the third rubber the single player is that one who has not had that 
position. 

If rubbers are not played, but games only, the winning side adds but 
50 points to its score. Three games should be played, so that each 
player shall be single. 

When play begins the cards are cut, shuffled, and then the single 
player deals them, beginning on his left, so that the last card will fall to 
his share. 



Ii6 BRIDGE WHIST. 

Then the dealer makes the trump or passes it to dummy. If he 
passes, he examines dummy, who is forced to make it no trump if he 
holds three or four aces; if he has but two aces he cannot make it no 
trump, but must make it his longest suit — that is, the suit in which he 
holds the most cards; if he has two suits of equal length he must make it 
the strongest suit, which is decided by counting the pips on the cards, 
ace counting 14, king 13, queen 12, jack 11. 

When the trump has been declared the eldest hand can go over or 
ask his partner, "Shall I play?" His partner can go over, but then the 
dealer can go back; and as he has seen two hands, if the dummy has 
made it, he has an advantage. If the single player makes the trump and 
is gone over, he must go back without looking at dummy. If he names 
the trump the dummy is not turned until after the eldest hand has led. 
If dummy makes the trump his hand is not exposed until the first card is 
led. Then the play proceeds as in Bridge. 

When the hand is completed and scored, the single player goes to the 
opposite side of the table, and the player whp was his opponent on his 
left has the deal, the former single player being eldest hand. 

There are several other ways to play. For instance: The dealer is 
compelled to make the trump from his own hand, whether the single 
player or not. It is not passed to the partner, and the single player is 
not permitted to see dummy's cards, until the lead for the first trick has 
been made. Neither can the eldest hand ask his partner if he must 
play, but he must go over or lead, and if he goes over the single player 
may go back, but the eldest hand's partner takes no part in the doubling. 



DR AVyT POKER. 



RULES FOR PLAYING. 
By the Hon. Robert C. Schenck, 

Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States 
of America near Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, 

[the deal is of no special value, and anybody may begin. 

The dealer, beg:inning with the person at his left, throws around five 
cards to each player, giving one card at a time. 

The dealer shuffles and makes up the pack himself ; or, it may be done 
by the player at his left, and the player at his right must cut. 

To begin the pool, the player next to the dealer on his left must put 
up money, which is called an "Ante"; and then in succession each 
player, passing around to the left, must, after looking at his hand, de- 
termine if he goes in or not ; and each person deciding to play for the 
pool must put in twice the amount of the ante. Those who decline to 
play throw up their cards face downward on the table, and, per conse- 
quence, in front of the next dealer.* 

When all who wish to play have gone in, the person putting up the 
ante can either give up all interest In the pool, thus forfeiting the ante 
that has been put up, or else can play like the others who have gone in, 

♦ Note. — A, B, C, D, and E (five being the best number to play the game) sit 
down to play draw poker. A deals the cards ; B '* antes " — say five cents. 
^'* Ante " is corrupted from the French word entrer^ to enter.) C can " strad- 
dle" B, by putting up (or '' anteing ") at least ten cents, which is double B's 
** ante," without looking at his cards. This doubling the ante (or '^ blind ") is 
called a '* straddle," and always should carry the '' age," as an inducement to 
straddle. D can straddle C, which makes a double straddle, and thus takers ihe 
** age " from C ; and so round ad injlnitunt. — Arkansas. 

(117) 



Il8 DRAW POKER. 

by " making: good "; that is, putting* up in addition to the ante as muck 
more as will make him equal in stake to the rest. 

If a number of players have gone in, it is best generally for the ante- 
man to make good and go in, even with a poor hand, because half his 
stake is already up, and he can therefore stay in for half as much as the 
others have had to put up, which is a percentage in favor of his taking 
the risk. This, of course, does not apply if any one has *' raised"; that 
is, more than doubled the ante before it comes around to the starting- 
point. 

Any one, at the time of going in, must put up as much as double the 
ante, and may put up as much more as he pleases, byway of " raising" 
the ante ; in which case every other player must put up as much as will 
^ake his stake equal to such increase, or else abandon what he has 
already put in. 

Each player, as he makes good and equals the others who are in be- 
fore him, can thus increase the ante if he chooses, compelling the others 
still to come up to that increase, or to abandon their share in the pool. 

All " going in," or ** raising " of the pool, as well as all betting after- 
ward, must be in regular order, going round by the left ; no one going 
in, making good, increasing the ante, or betting, except in turn. 

When all are in equally who intend to play, each player in turn will 
have the privilege of drawing ; that is, of throwing away any number of 
his five cards and drawing as many others, to try thus to better his hand. 
The cards thus thrown up must be placed face downward on the table, 
and, for convenience, in front of or near the next dealer. 

The dealer, passing around to the left, will ask each player in turn 
how many cards he will have, and deal him the number asked for from 
the top of the pack, without their being seen. The dealer, if he has gone 
in to play for the pool, will in like manner help himself last. 

The players must throw away their discarded cards before taking up 
or looking at those they draw. 

In the game every player is for himself and against all others, and to 
that end will not let any of his cards be seen, nor betray the value of his 
hand by drawing or playing out of his turn, or by change of countenance 
or any other sign. It is a g^reat object to mystify your adversaries up to 
the " call," when hands have to be shown. To this end it is permitted 
to chaff or talk nonsense, with a view of misleading your adversaries as 
to the value of your hand ; but this must be without unreasonably delay- 
ing the game. 

When tne drawing is all complete, the betting goes around in order, 
tik^ the drawing to the left. The ante-naan is the first to bet, unless h« 



DRAW POKER. TT9 

has declined to play ; and in that case the first to bet is the player near- 
est the dealer, on his left. But the player entitled to bet first may with- 
hold his bet until the others have bet round to him, which is called 
*' holding the age"; and this, being an advantage, should, as a general 
rule, be practiced. 

Each better in turn must put into the pool a sum equal at least to the 
first bet made ; but each may in turn increase the bet, or raise it, as it 
comes to him : in which case the bets, proceeding around in order, must 
be made by each player in his turn equal to the highest amount put in 
by any one ; or else, failing to do that, the party who fails must go out of 
the play, forfeiting his interest in the pool. 

When a player puts in only as much as has been put in by each player 
who has preceded him, that :s called '* seeing " the bet. 

When a player puts in that much, and raises it, that is called seeing 
the bet and " going better." 

When the bet goes around to the last better or player who remains in, 
if he does not wish to see and go better, he simply sees and ** calls"; 
and then all players must show their hands, and the highest hand wins 
the pool. 

When any one declines to see the bet, or the increase of bet which has 
been made, he "lays down" his hand, — that is, throws it up with the 
cards face downward on the table. If all the other players throw down 
their hands, the one who remains in to the last wins, and takes the pool 
without showing his hand. 

To ''bluff " is to take the risk of betting high enough on a poor hand, 
or a worthless one, to make all the other players lay down their hands 
witlaout seeing or calling you. 

When a hand is complete, so that the holder of it can play without 
drawing to better it, that is called a '* pat " hand. A bold player will 
sometimes decline to draw any cards, and pretend to have a pat hand, 
and play it as such, when he has none. 

A skilful player will watch and observe what each player draws, the 
expression of the face, the circumstances and manner of betting, and 
judge, or try to judge, of the value of each hand opposed to him ac- 
cordingly. 

No one is bound to answer the question, how many cards he drew, 
except the dealer ; and the dealer is not bound to tell after the betting 
has begun. 

Of Drawing. — If the player determines to draw to a pair, he draws 
three cards. If he draws to two pairs, he draws one card. 

If he holds three to begin with, he draws two cards, in order to have 



^20 DRAW POKER, 

the best chance of making a full, inasmuch as, in playing, pairs are apt 
to lun together. But to deceive his adversaries, and make them think he 
has nothing better than two pairs, a sharp player will often draw but one 
card to his threes. 

It is advisable, sometimes, to keep an ace, or other high card, as an 
" outsider," with a small pair, and draw two cards, — thus taking the 
chances of matching the high card, and so getting a good two pairs, or 
something better possibly, while at the same time others may be deceived 
into believing that the player is drawing to threes. 

When drawing to cards of the same suit to try to make a flusk, or to 
cards of successive denominations to try to make a sequence, as many 
more cards are to be taken as will be needed to fill out the flush or the 
sequence. But it is seldom advisable to venture in to draw for either a 
flush or a sequence when mere than one card is required to complete the 
hand. 

When a player holds fours in his original hand, it is as good as it can 
be ; and yet it is best to throw away the outside card, and draw one, be- 
cause others may then think he is only drawing to two pairs, or for 9 
flush or a sequence, and will not suspect the great value of the hand. 

When one is in (as he ought seldom to be) without even so much as a 
pair, his choice must be either to discard four cards, or three cards, and 
draw to the highest or two highest in the hand ; or throw away the whole 
hand, and draw five ; or look content and serious, stand pat, and bet 
high. 

The player determining to try this last alternative on a worthless hand 
had generally better begin by raising when he goes in, or else nobody 
will be likely to believe in his pretended strong hand. 

RELATIVE VALUE OF HANDS IN THEIR ORDER, BEGIN. 
NING WITH THE BEST. 

1. A sequence flush ; which is a sequence of five cards, and all of the 
same suit. 

2. Fours ; which is four of the five cards of the same denomination. 

3. A full ; which is a hand consisting of three cards of tke same de- 
nomination, and two of likewise equal denomination. 

4. A flush ; which is all five cards of the same suit. 

5. A sequence ; * which is all five cards not of the same suit, but all in 

♦ Many experts rate threes in relative value above a sequence ; but the better 
opinion is, that a sequence should rank first, as being in itself one of the com- 



DRA W POKER. 121 

sequence. [In computing the value of a sequence, an ace counts eithet 
as the highest or lowest card ; that is, below a deuce, or above a king.] 

6. Threes ; which is three cards of the same denomination, but the 
other two of different denominations from each other. 

7. Two pairs. 

8. One pair. 

9. When a hand has neither of the above, the count is by the cards of 
highest value or denomination. 

When parties opposed each hold a pair, the highest pair wins ; and the 
same when each party holds threes or fours. 

When each party holds two pairs, the highest pair of the two deter- 
mines the relative value of the hands. 

Wken each party holds a sequence, the hand commencing with the 
highest card in sequence wins ; so also when two or more parties hold 
flushes against each other. 

That full counts highest of which the three cards of the same denomi- 
nation are highest. The two cards of the same denomination help only 
to constitute the full, but do not add to the value of the hand. 

When hands are equal so far that each party holds a pair, or two pairs 
of exactly the same value, then the next highest card or cards in each 
hand must be compared with the next highest card or cards in the other 
hand to determine which wins. 

In case of the highest hands (which very seldom occurs) being exactly 
equal, the pool is divided. 

^he main elements of success in the game are : (i) good luck ; (2) good 
cards ; (3) plenty of cheek ; and (4) good temper\ 



LAWS OF POKER. 

[Though the Schenck rules are goody they require amplification^ and 
to meet a new generation of players the following laws^ which are the 
latest y are presented^ 

DEALING. 

I. One card is thrown face up to each player. The lowest card deals. 
The Ace is the lowest. The King is the highest. 

plete hands. (There is no longer any difference of opinion or play. Every- 
where the straight is better than threes. We may remark that the title of the 
fame '^ Draw Poker " is to-day rarely in use. £ith»r a game of Draw, or Pokci 
done are th« terms employed. — Editor.) 



T22 DRAW POKER. 

2. Cards are shuffled in sight. Every player has a right to shuffle, 
The dealer shuffles last. 

3. The player to the right of the dealer cuts. 

4. One card at a time is given to each player, beginning at the left. 

5. The deal goes to the left. 

6. A pack with a faced card, when dealt, requires a new deal by the 
same dealer. Cards are re-shuffled and cut as before. 

7. When a card is faced in dealing, this turning of the card being due 
to the dealer, or any other player, whether by accident or not, the player 
must receive the card. 

8. If two cards are exposed in the same way, as described in Rule 7, 
\here must be a new deal. 

9. If the dealer gives a player six cards or four cards, or more or less 
than five, a new deal is in order. It is a misdeal. If all the players re- 
ceive four or six cards each, it is a misdeal. 

10. No play can be made without the exact number of cards, i^hich is 
five. 

DISCARDING. 

11. After the first five cards are dealt, players who remain in may dis- 
card up to five cards, and ask for as many new cards as they require. 
The discard begins at the Age — the player at the left of the dealer. 
Every player must discard in his reg^ular turn. The exact number of 
cards asked for is given. Once cards are thrown away, they cannot be 
handled until the next deal. 

12. Players cannot ask others what is the discard as to numbers, either 
before or after the draw. (Formerly the rule read that before the draw 
the question could be asked, but not after it.) The dealer must announce 
his own discard. 

13. When more cards are offered by the dealer than are asked for by 
the discard, the player, on announcing that too many or not enough cards 
are dealt him, can decline taking them, and the dealer may correct the 
error. If, however, the player accepts the cards from the dealer, and 
looks at them, whether they be more or less than the regular number he 
should have, which is five, the player is ruled out of the game. 

14. If, in asking for cards in the draw, one card is turned or shown^ 
the latest-accepted rule is that this card cannot be taken. The dealer 
takes the exposed card, puts it at the bottom of the pack, proceeds to 
give the cards in order to the next players, and when through, then gives 
a card to the player whose card has been turned. If more than one card 
be turned in the draw, the rule is the sap'e. (This rule, though oftea 
disputed, should be accepted.) 



J^RA W POKER. 



THE ANTE. 



123 



15. The player after the dealer must ante first, before the deal. H« 
puts up any number of chips, not exceeding half the Umit. To come in 
he has to double the ante, as the other players have to. The ante can 
never be more, when first put up, than half the limit. 

16. When the cards are dealt, players who come in must double the 
ante. 

17. The Age comes in last, and makes his ante good or not, at his 

option. 

RAISES. 

18. After the Age any player, in his turn, may raise. Any number 
of raises in turn are in order. 

19. After the draw, any player who is in, commencing with the one to 
the left of the Age, can raise. 

20. The eldest hand, the Age, comes in last. If the Age declines 
making his blind good, notwithstanding this, the first player after him 
must bet first. The Age never passes. 

21. If a bet be raised by a player who is in his regular turn, the next 
player must see the bet or retire. 

SHOWING HANDS. 

22. A show of hands, putting them on the table, face up, is a rule 
never to be departed from when the call is made. 

CALLING. 

23. When a player bets more than any one else, within the limit, and 
no one caUs or sees him, he wins. 

ONCE OUT. 

24. Once out of a game, a player can never enter again. {No foul 
haftd can win under any circumstances.) 

THE BLIND AND STRADDLE. 

25. The Age alone can make the blind. The next to the Age can 
straddle. But the third player after the Age cannot begin the straddle. 
The third player can straddle the straddler, always within the limit. 

26. The straddle cannot make the straddle and raise at the same time. 
(There is no rule less observed than the one that the Age never passes. 
This Rule, No. 20, should be faithfully observed.) 



124 DRA W POKER. 



RULES FOR THE JACK-POT. 

27. Each player puts up as many chips as the one having the age. 

28. The opening hand must have a pair of Jacks or better. 

29. If no player can come in, another chip is added by each player, and 
a. second round begins. 

30. After the opener, to the left of him all the players can come in 
providing they see the amount he bets. 

31. The opening bet must be put up before the draw. 

32. The opener makes the first bet. 

33. The last person to bet is the player, who is to the right of the 
tjpener. 

34. All raises, as in Poker, are in regular order. 

35. For an error in opening a Jack-pot, the person having made the 
mistake retires from the game. The penalty for the mistake is for him 
to put up a Jack-pot equal in chips to the one he has entered into in error. 

36. In the case of an error of this kind, any oth.'^r player, to the left 
v)f the putative opener, having a pair of Jacks or better can open. 

37. If the error is found out after the cards have been drawn, and no 
hand nas a pair of openers, that round of Jack-pots is null and void. 

38. A Jack-pot cannot be opened by a player drawing for a straight or 
a flush. Any other player but the opener can draw for what he pleases. 
(See the explanations for this apparently arbitrary rule.) 

(The laws governing the playing of the Jack-pot require remodelling. 
This peculiar phase of Poker is not old enough to have crystallized into 
its concrete form. As it is universally played, stringent rules should be 
adopted for it. Such rules as are presented are in accordance with those 
employed in New York City. The right to play the Jack-pot at all xs 
disputed by many players. The argument against it is that it is a dia- 
bolical invention of Kitty. It is true that the more frequent are Jack- 
pots, the larger the earnings of the Kitty.) 

All the rules of Poker are made to prevent fraud. Every rule should 
be strictly adhered to, 

VALUE OF THE HANDS AT POKER. 

Singly each card possesses its ordinary value, as in Whist. 

No Pairs. — The lowest hand is one in which, in the five cards, th«re 
are no pairs, nor are the cards of the same suit, nor is there a sequence. 
Its value would depend on its highest card. Thus, one hand may con- 
tain a Two of spades, a Four of hearts, an Eight ©f diamonds, a Jack 



DRAW POKER. 1 25 

of clubs, and an Ace of diamonds. This hand would be better than ©ne 
which held only a King of diamonds as its highest card. It is not un- 
common, even when betting is made on a false straight, that when one 
adversary calls the other no pair can be shown. Then the highest card 
wins. (See further on in regard to straights and flushes.) 

One Pair. — The values of the cards being the same as in Whist, a pair 
of Threes, as the Three of diamonds and Three of spades, is better than 
the Deuce of diamonds or a Deuce of spades, as a pair of Aces are bet- 
ter than a pair of Kings or a pair of Queens better than a pair of Jacks. 
If each player, when two are engaged, has pairs which are alike, as, say, 
each one has a pair of Queens, the next highest card wins. Say the two 
players had each Queens. In one hand is a King, in the other a Jack. 
The hand with the Queens and King would win. Occasionally this parity 
of hands may require the second or even the third card after the pair to 
decide on the value of the hand. One of the rarest things is to see the 
same cards held exactly by two hands. This may occur, but never when 
threes, fulls, or fours are held. (Threes and fulls will be explained 
later.) 

Two Pairs. — Two pairs beat a single pair. Of the two pairs the 
higher wins when pitted against any other two pairs. A pair of Aces 
and a pair of Deuces are better than a pair of Kings and a pair of 
Queens. A pair of Sixes and Threes are better than a pair of Fives and 
Fours. If the two pairs are alike, then the single card left decides the 
value of the hand. 

Threes or Triplets. — By Threes or Triplets is meant that the 
player holds three cards of the same value, as three Aces, or three Tens, 
or three Deuces. The three highest win. There can be no similarity of 
hands in Threes. 

The Straight. — The straight, sometimes called a sequence, means 
that five cards are held, which ascend in exact values. Thus, i, 2, 3, 4, 
5, or 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, are numerical sequences. The Straight has no refer- 
ence to color. A straight may be composed of the Five of hearts. Six of 
diamonds. Seven of clubs. Eight of spades, and Nine of hearts. The 
Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten, irrespective of suits, is a straight. The 
Ace, however, in a straight may change in value, for it may be taken as 
the beginning of the straight ; thus, an Ace, a Deuce, Three, Four, and 
Five is a straight, but it is the lowest one ; it would be beaten by a Two, 
Three, Four, Five, and Six. As in all valuations, the best or highest 
straight or sequence wins. A straight beginning with a Nine and end- 
ing with a King is not as good as one commencing with a Ten and end- 
ing with an Ace. Tw© hands may hold straights of the same value ; an<^ 



126 ^^^ ^ POKER. 

when this happens the pool is divided between the two players holding 
the straights. 

Flush. — When five oards of the same suit are held, this is a flush. 
Any five spades, or five clubs, diamonds or hearts, is a flush. The hand 
holding the highest card in the flush wins. A Two, Three, Four, Five, 
headed by an Ace of the same suit, is better than an Eight, Ten, Jack, 
Queen, and King of the same suit. In the flush two hands may be made 
Df exactly the same value ; in this case the pool is divided. 

The Full. — By the full, is understood a hand which contains not 
Dnly Threes, but a Fair. Thus, a full hand may be composed of three 
Threes and two Deuces, or three Aces and two Kings. Just like in two 
pairs, the higher Threes decide in the value of the hand. Three Fours 
jind two Twos are better than three Threes and two Aces. Two similar 
hands in a full do not exist. 

Fours. — ^This is a rare hand to hold, and means that in the five cards, 
four cards are of the same value. Thus four Deuces is a Four, as are 
four Aces. The highest Fours win. There can be no similar hands 
in fours. 

The Straight Flush.— This is the most unusual of all hands to 
hold, and is the highest in value. By a straight Flush is meant that the 
five cards are not alone of the same suit, but have a regular numerical 
progression. It is not only a straight, but also a flush. Thus, a Two, 
Three, Four, Five, Six of spades is a straight flush, as is a Ten, Jack, 
Queen, King, and Ace of clubs or any other suit. Many games of Poker 
may be played, and a straight flush never seen. Two straight flushes 
of the same value may be made at the same time. It is within the pos- 
sibility of cards, but players have rarely, if ever, seen this double event 

RECAPITULATION. 

The values of the cards at Poker are in the following order : 

1. No Pairs. (Highest Card wins.) 

2. One Pair. 

3. Two Pairs. 

4. Threes or Triplets. 

5. the Straight or Sequence. 

6. The Flush. 

7. The Full. 

8. Fours. 

9. The Straight Flush. 

How THE Game is Played. — Poker is played with a full pack of 59 
cards. 



DRA W POKER. 



127 



The number of players should be limited to six. Five is th« best 
number, but seven can play ; but when seven play, as each player re 
ceives five cards, thirty-five cards have been dealt, and this only leaves 
seventeen cards. As every player has five cards dealt to him and has a 
right to draw five cards, there are not sufficient cards for this ; and when 
seven play, recourse must be had to the discard. Now^ as every rule in 
Poker is devised as a protection against fraud y seven players should no. 
be permitted. 

For the deal, as in Whist, one card is thrown to each person, face up, 
and the lowest deals. There is some slight advantage in dealing. The 
cards are shuffled, and cut by the person to the left of the dealer. Th{ 
dealer gives in rotation one card singly to each player, dealing the cards 
to the left. The deal goes to the left. Each player receives five cards. 

Before the deal commences, the player to the left of the dealer puts 
fais stake on the table. This player to the left is called the Age, and the 
stake he puts up is called the ante. It is an invitation, as it were, to the 
others to make their bets. This player who has the Age, has certain ad- 
vantages or disadvantages, which will be aiier^s^ard explained. As the 

deal always goes to the left, the 
deal passing after every round of 
the game — the position of the Age 
is always changing in regular 
order. 

The circle represents the table, 
and A, B, C, D, E, the players. 
When A deals, B is the Age, and 
must ante. As the deal goes to 
the left, after every round, B 
would be the next dealer and C 
the Age. When E is dealer, A ij 
the Age. 

Before the dealer gives any 
cards, or the game is commenced, 
a limit is agreed upon. The necessity of a limit must be at once insisted 
upon, because no game of Poker is possible without it. It acts as a curb, 
and prevents losses. To play without a limit would be the same as to 
wager $1,000 in a game of whist or euchre. It may be then supposed that 
the players A, B, C, D, and E, have agreed that ten cents be the limit. 
When A deals, B may put on the table one chip, the chip representing 
one cent, and he does this before receiving any cards. He may put up 
Wo, three, four, or five chips, but when he reaches five chips he is at the 




12-8 



DRA W POKER. 



limit of the game, because should he or any of the v/iher players come in, 
he or they would have to double the ante, which if he put up five would 
be ten, and ten is the limit of the game. If he put up one he would have 
to double it if he came in. No bet then can be made of any kind, higher 
ihan ten chips, if ten be the limit. But the ten chips or ten cents can 
be accepted as the wager, and ten chips more bet, and this ten repeated 
over and over again, but eleven chips cannot be bet. The limit is ten. 
The person who is the Age has the advantage of playing or betting last. 
If he has good cards he may be willing to come in. He has one chip on 
the table, which he will lose if any one else comes in, and he is unwilling 
to put up another chip. If he has a bad hand he abandons his one chip. 
This is to his disadvantage. The 

advantage of the position is Two pairs 

that if he has a good hand, be- ^wo Aces Fives and Sixes 

ing the last player, he can aug- q 

ment the stake. An augmenta- 
tion of the stake by the Age will 
be afterward explained. 

It is C who makes the first 
wager, or C may have nothing. 
Then D may come in, or E, or 
the dealer A. It is never ob- 
ligatory to play in Poker ; you 

A. 2*6 

may make a wager or not as you ^ 
please, with the exception of the j.jga,rts 
-A ge, who must risk a chip. 

With the diagram and the 
players an imaginary game can 
now be carried on. 

A deals, B puts up one chip for an ante, the limit of betting is ten, and 
the cards are dealt five to each person. The cards are looked at. C is 
the first to bet. Say he has a pair of Aces in his hand ; D two pairs, a 
pair of Fives and a pair of Sixes ; E has three Twos ; A, the dealer, no 
pairs at all, a valueless hand ; and B, who comes in last, four hearts. 
C, D, E have all of them cards of some value ; B has, so far, cards 
which are worthless, but, if he could get another heart, he would have 
an excellent hand, and make a flush. C, D, E come in, as does B. 
They each have put up two chips, and B, who was the Age, makes his 
stake good by putting up another chip. A, the dealer, who holds noth- 
ing, does not enter at all. Now, the cards are drawn, just as in ecart^. 
The players ask for cards, and can take up to five cards — that is, as 




A Dealer 
Nothing. 



DRAW POKER. 1 29 

many cards as they want. B, who is after the dealer, is helped first. He 
asks for one card. He has four hearts, and wants to get another heart. 
C, who has two Aces, asks for three cards. He may make two pairs, 
taking in another pair, or he might draw another Ace, which would make 
him three Aces, or he might draw three cards all of the same value, a 
triplet, making him a full, or he might take in two more Aces, making 
him have four of a kind. D, who has two pairs, Fives and Sixes, might 
also, by taking one card, get another Five or Six, and so have a full. E, 
who has three Twos, might draw two cards, helping, just like C, to 
make four or a full. A, who dealt, has nothing, and does not ask for 
new cards, for, once having passed, he is out of the game for the round. 
B, who was the Age, has four hearts. It might be that he held the 
Two, Three, Four, and Five of hearts. Should he draw the Six of 
hearts, he would have a straight flush, which would be almost invincible. 
If his hand consisted of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and he were to 
draw the Ten, there would be no possibility of his losing. If he drew 
any heart, he would make a simple flush, which is a strong hand. The 
cards are then dealt, the dealer giving to each one exactly the number of 
cards he asks for. 

B, one card, drawn to a flush. 

C, three cards, drawn to a pair, 

D, one card, drawn to two pairs. 

E, two cards, drawn to threes. 

The discarded cards are tnrown toward the dealer before the new cards 
are given. Now, the question arises : Whose hand has been improved ? 
Nobody can tell. C's two Aces is a fair hand ; but of all of them before 
the draw, E's was the best hand, he had three Deuces. The player may 
gain some information as to the character of the hands from the number 
of cards drawn. If a player had drawn five new cards, or four new 
cards, the certainty would be that he held in neither case a pair, but was 
trusting to luck to draw something. E has taken two cards. That 
looks as if he had threes. D and B have both taken one card. Either 
of them may hold threes. This might not be likely or they would have 
shown perhaps by an early bet, that they held good hands. But nothing 
absolutely certain can be gleaned from the draw, for B, who has nothing, 
may be drawing for a card to make a straight, or a flush, or he may have 
two pairs. 

Let the giving of the new cards in this case, B, C, D, and E, have 
their hands precisely in the same condition as before the draw. C hai 
kiii pair of Aces ; D his two pairs » E his three Twos ; B has drawn 9 



130 DRAW POKER. 

spade, and his hand is good for nothing — just as it was when he came in. 
Now the betting commences. C wagers one chip ; D ** sees it," or puts 
up one chip ; he has two pairs ; E, who has three Twos, wagers the one 
chip of C and D, ^.nd "raises " them ten chips. B is frightened. It is his 
turn next, and he goes out, rehnquishing his two chips. If C, with one 
pair of Aces, is a conservative player, has gone out, D, who has only two 
small pairs, will give up also. Then all the players, having declined to 
**see" or bet E's ten chips, E will take the pool. There has been no 
bluffing. E has simply backed up his hand. Not being called, he is not 
forced to show his hand. 

Suppose, however, in the drawing, a good or helping card had been 
secured by only C, who held the pair of Aces, and that he had drawn 
another Ace. When B passed out, C having the best Threes, would 
have seen E's hand, accepted the wager of ten, and raised an additional 
ten. D, with two pairs only, caught between the cross-fires, would have 
beaten a precipitate retreat. E, with three Twos, might have thought that 
C was bluffing. Prudence would dictate his not betting any more. He 
would have only seen C, and the hands being exposed, C's three Aces 
would have won the twenty-one chips E had bet. Having been called 
by E, both hands are shown. 

Taking the same condition of hands, B with a flush to draw, C with 
two Aces, D with two pairs, and E with three Twos, we will suppose that 
there has been this time no improvement in the hands. The betting is 
the same as before. C bets one chip, D sees it, and E goes Ten better. 
B has not improved his hand at all. He thinks that E also actually has 
three Twos and is bluffing. He sees E's Ten, and bets Ten better. C 
and D are frightened out as before. E is not quite certain. B may have 
made a straight or a full. His Threes are the smallest in the pack. E 
may have been in bad luck. He hesitates. B looks very determined. E 
gives up, will not see the additional Ten, and then B wins, or takes the 
pool and the wagers. He does not show his hand. He has not been 
called. This is a legitimate bluff. B being the age, has had some little 
advantage of the position. 

Taking again the same players with the same cards : suppose the hands 
had been improved by the drawing. That C had drawn two more Aces, 
that D had drawn another Six, that E had added two Kings to his Threes, 
and that B had made that rara avis^ a straight flush. Then the Ten, as 
a limit, would be repeated by each player any number of times. C with 
the four Aces knows that in all the multitudinous changes of cards, there 
can be but one chance against him — the straight flush. To his misfor- 
^^ when the hands are called^ he finds tJtU^ straight flush. If D and £ 



DRA W POKElt. 



-131 



are intelligent players, after they have made several bets which their adver 
saries have capped with other bets, they would have gone out, satisfied thai 
they held losing hands. No combination of cards is impossible in Poker. 
Two hands, each holding Fours, have been often seen struggling for th« 
victory, and Fours have more than once succumbed to a straight flush. 

The Elder Hand. — The condition of the elder hand or Age must 
now be considered in regard to such advantage as it may possess, and 
raising in general be explained. Before any new cards are taken, raising 
is legitimate. Referring to the diagram of the table and players, B being 
the Age, and the last one to come in, C, D, E, and A have seen the 
wager of two chips, or ten chips ; when it is B's turn to come in he can 
say: '* I make my ante good; or my blind good, and I raise it ten." 
This is the bet before any cards have been dealt. If then (as in the after 
case, when cards have been drawn, as previously explained), C, D, or E 
and A do not see B's bet, though they have put up their two chips each, 
B wins. If any of the players, however, see this extra wager of ten, 

made before new cards are given, 
they are all said "to stay in.' 
Then the new cards are given to 
them as before, and the status of 
the game remains the same. 

B being the Age, the others 
coming in with inferior hands, 
say — B has the best cards, a flush. 
As he is the last to come in, when 
it is his turn, he makes his ante 
good and raises it ten before cards 
are drawn. All the other players 
are frightened and go out. They 
will not see the wager ; B takes 
the two chips, or the ten chips 
each of the others have put up at the beginning. He need not show 
his hand, because no one had seen his bet. Suppose, however, all had 
gone out but D, who held two pairs, or one pair ; D draws one card and 
makes a full, or three cards and makes a full, he would accept any of B's 
bets, and the wagers would be exactly as in the former cases cited. But 
if he supposed B, the Age, had nothing at all, and raised ten at the start, 
before any cards were taken, he might not draw any cards at all, or only 
one card. Other players, who came in with one pair, or two small pairs, 
might not see his next bet, that is, if he carried out his purpose of betting 
the limit. They would believe that he really held a strong hand. 




Dealer 



132 



DRA W POKER. 



This IS one of the advantages of the position, and is called holding: the 
. Age. Raising can be made, however, by any of the players. Say B, the 
Age, has put up his ante, one chip. C comes in, sees the chip ; putting 
up his two, and raising it two. This would be bad play, because C would 
intimidate only the Age, B, and drive him out. There are three more 
players to come after him. It would be bad policy then for C to raise. 
He would, if a good player, wait. If any one raised after him, before cards 
were taken, he would see this raise, and possibly raise it again. Taking 
again the explanation with the diagram, the following case is presented : 

C comes in. It is not his 

Three Two small 

Deuces ^^^ss^^k^ pairs 



place to raise, nor is it D's, but 
E, with three Kings, raises the 




A Dealer 
A flush to draw. 



ante ten. A, who has a chance 
to make a flush, comes in, as 
do B and C. D may or may 
not come in. Say D goes out. 
B, C, and A have met E*s 
raise. Cards are drawn with 
no improvement. C bets first, 
say one chip. D is out. E, 
who has originally raised the 
blind, bets ten more. A, whose 
hand has not improved, passes 
out. B, who has three Aces, 
sees the new bet of ten, and 
bets ten more. C is intimida- 
ted. E believes he has the best hand, and may make another bet. Say 
he sees B, and on showing cards he loses. Innumerable combina- 
tions might be presented : as of D holding three Kings, and E three 
Aces. C coming in with the ante, and D seeing the raise of ten, before 
cards have been drawn, and raising it ten more. 

Two hands may each hold flushes, and standing " pat," that is having 
good cards (a perfect hand, before a card is drawn), and raising each 
other in the first stage of the game. In Poker, position has much 
to do with the game, and the Age has only this advantage of posi- 
tion, for the chances of his having a good hand, so as not to lose the one 
chip he has been forced to put up, are small. He wagers his chip with- 
out having seen his cards, while the others know what they have before 
they come in. 

/t is in '* raising," entirely apart from such cheating as may arise from 
•* forcing a card," that fraud in Poker is possible, and a fraud exceed- 



DRAW POKER, T33 

ingly difficult to detect. A player may be *' forced out " or ** raised out ^ 
by a combination of two players who have previously agreed to such a 
rascally performance. Taking the diagram with the same players, C 
and E, or any two players, may have agreed to combine and raise out 
other players. This conspiracy, as has been stated, is exceedingly diffi- 
cult to detect. Players have not the right to even say to one another in 
private, ** When I raise you, you may be sure I have a hand." It gives 
to each of them an undue advantage. It is a secret arrangement, and, 
being such, is nothing else than a fraud. 

Of Drawing. — If the player determines to draw to a pair, he draws 
three cards. If he draws to two pairs, he draws one card. 

If he holds three to begin with, he draws two cards, in order to have 
the best chance of making a full, inasmuch, as in playing, pairs are apt 
to run together. But to deceive his adversaries, and make them think he 
has nothing better than two pairs, a sharp player will draw but one card 
to his threes. 

It is advisable sometimes to keep an Ace or other high card as an 
" outsider " with a small pair, and draw two cards — thus taking the 
chances of matching the high card, and so getting two good pairs, or 
possibly something better — while at the same time others maybe deceived 
into believing that the player is drawing to Threes. 

When drawing to cards of the same suit, to try to make a flush, or to 
cards of successive denominations to try to make a sequence, only one 
card is to be taken. This will be needed to fill out the flush or the 
sequence. But it is seldom advisable to venture a draw for either a flush 
or sequence when more than one card is required to complete the hand. 

When a player holds Fours in his original hand, this is as good as it 
can be ; and yet it is best to throw away the outside card and draw one, 
because others may then think he is only drawing to two pairs, or for a 
flush or sequence, and will not suspect the value of the hand. 

When one is in (though he ought seldom to be) without even as much 
as a pair, his choice must be either to discard four cards, or three cards, 
and draw to the highest or two highest in the hand, or throw away the 
whole hand and draw five, or look content and serious, stand pat, and bet 
high. 

The player determining to try this last alternative on a worthless hand, 
had generally better begin by raising when he goes in, or else nobody 
will be likely to believe in his pretended strong hand. 



134 DRAW POKER. 



PROBABILITIES. 

The probabilities of receiving a specified Poker hand in the deal ar« r^ 
follows : 

Straight Flush i in 65,000 deals. 

Fours I *' 4,164 ** 

Full I *' 693 ** 

Flush I " 507 " 

Straight (Sequence) i " 254 ** 

Threes i " 45 '* 

Two Pairs i ** 20 ** 

One Pair i " iilj ** 

Or, 10 in 13 " 

The draw, of course, modifies these proportions, and gives the pl;»ye/ 
increased chances. But it would require too much space to give the 
chances in these cases. 

TECHNICAL TERMS KNOWN IN POKER. 

The Age. — Designation of the player whose place is after the dealer. 
The Age never passes. 

The Ante. — The bet made by the Age, and applicable to any of the 
stakes put up in the game, at the entrance of the players. 

Blaze.— A hand which holds all the picture cards, an Ace being con- 
sidered as a court card. It beats two pairs. The Blaze is rarely played, 
and should be ruled out. 

Blind. — This is the stake put up by the Age. He doubles it, if he 
wishes to play. Not wanting to play, he abandons it. All the players 
Ante. 

Call. — This term means that one player sees the bet of another, and 
will not advance the bet. Then the cards are shown. But it is only the 
last better, or the one nearest to the player to the right of the person 
who has raised, who can call, and so calling, no one else betting higher, 
this closes the game. 

Chips. — Counters. 

To Chip In. — To put counters on the table. Equivalent to entering 
into the game. 

Discard. — To throw out cards from the hand first dealt. 

Draw. — To take new cards. 

Eldest Hand. — The player to the left of the dealer. 

Filling. — To improve the hand by means of tha cards drawia* 



DRAIV POKER, 135 

Freeze-Out. — Five players, each take the same number of cards, and 
play until one of them has won all the chips or counters. Those who 
lose are "frozen out." 

Going Better. — When a player raises or bets an amount higher than 
the player to the right of him, he "raises." 

Going In. — The elder hand makes his "blind good." That is, he ac- 
cepts the wagers of the rest, and adding more chips, makes his blind 
good. Any one entering the game " goes in." 

Going Out. — The reverse of the above. 

Limit. — Before a game is commenced it is agreed that so many chips 
shall be the limit. Above this no bet can be made ; but the amount of 
the limit in the betting may be made over and over again. No game 
ever should be played without a limit. 

Making Good. — Putting up the number of chips any one else has bet. 

Original Hand. — The first five cards dealt before the draw. 

Pat Hand. — Is a hand as it is first dealt, by supposition only a perfect 
hand ; as a straight, a flush, or a full. A pat hand may have nothing in 
it. "I play pat," means that a player does not want any cards in the 
draw. 

Pass. — When a player does not come in at all, or gives up his hand 
after a raise, this is a pass. 

The Pot. — All the chips on the table. 

To See. — Is equivalent to calling a bet. 

To Straddle. — To double the ante. 

There are innumerable cant terms peculiar to localities. To keep two 
small cards and an ace, is called holding up "a kicker." This draw is 
made by the player, hopeful of getting two pairs, with the additional ace 
or king. The term two pairs, " Queens Up," means that the Queens are 
the higher cards of the two pairs. "Tens Up," would mean that the 
Tens were the higher cards. A full, " Kings Up"; a flush, " Ace Up"^ 
can be at once understood. When a big bet is made which drives out 
the other players, they are sometimes said to be " blown out." 

THE JACK-POT. 

The Jack-pot may be an innovation, and contrary to the traditions 
of the game, but it is universally accepted to-day. It differs from everything 
else in the game, because it arbitrarily forces every player to ante. In all 
other phases of Poker it is only the Age who antes. In the prehistoric 
period of Poker the way of playing when every one passed out, was for 
the Age to withdraw his ante. When he dealt, in his turn, the next Age 



13^^ DI^A W POKER. 

put up the ante. It was not unusual for several rounds to be dealt, and 
for everybody to pass out. This became monotonous ; and then some- 
body invented the Jack-pot. 

The way of playing the Jack-pot is as follows : When all pass out, the 
Age leaves up his ante, and all the other players put up their antes or 
chips in equal amounts to the Age's ante. The cards are dealt for the 
next round by the next player. It differs again from the ordinary game, 
inasmuch as there is no elder hand, no one holding the Age. 

To open the Jack-pot, some one must have at the least a pair of Jacks. 
He can open it then with Jacks or better. But if no one has a pair of 
Jacks, or better, each player again contributes a chip, and a new deal is 
in order, A half dozen rounds may be dealt, and the Jack-pot not 
opened. There is nothing obligatory about entering. A player may 
hold a pair of Jacks and not open. Supposing a player has a pair of 
Jacks or better, he opens the Jack-pot, that is, he wagers so many chips. 
The rest see it, or not, as they please. If they do not see his wager, he 
takes the pot. The opener makes, however, the first bet, and the betting 
proceeds to his left as in the ordinary game. 

Sometimes, by prior arrangement, an ascending scale is determined on 
for opening the Jack-pot, beginning with Jacks. At the first round, say 
it is not opened, no one having Jacks or better. Then for the second 
round. Queens or better are required. For the third, Kings or better, 
and for the fourth. Aces or better. Sometimes, when the round of Aces 
is reached, the opening continues at Aces. Occasionally, the opening 
changes in the descending scale, after Aces are reached, going down to 
Kings, then to Queens, and to Jacks again. But this ascending or de- 
scending scale is not often played, because it leads to frequent mistakes. 
The best way is to make Jacks the openers, and to keep the opening at 
Jacks. Of course anything better than Jacks, as a pair of Queens, 
Kings, or Aces, and all the other combinations, open the Jack-pot. The 
opener of the Jack-pot must show his hand at the end of the round. 

There is one case of opening the Jack-pot which leads to many dis- 
putes. The rule being that Jacks will open the pot, how shall this be 
•onstrued when a player has a pair of Jacks, his hand being made up, 
aay, of the Jack of diamonds, the Jack of hearts, and three other hearts ? 
He has a perfect right to open. He has in his Jacks the key to the 
situation. But has he the privilege of throwing away a Jack, say his 
Jack of diamonds, and then draw, hoping to make a heart flush ? Now, 
it may happen that A opens, and has the two Jacks, with the combina- 
tion of cards just presented, B and C come in, and D raises. A may 
want to take the risk of throwing away his Jack of diamonds, so as to 



DRA W POKER, 137 

draw the flush. Sometimes it has been decided that the player may dra-w 
for the flush, on condition that he puts the card he discards face down 
before him, so that he may show after the round that he had a pair of 
Jacks, because there is a penalty, to be explained afterward, for a mistake 
made in opening the Jack-pot. It has been declared, that this drawing 
to a flush cannot be made. In some clubs an arrangement has been 
made, that the person drawing for the flush should announce the same, 
exhibiting the discarded picture card. But this is all against the opener 
of the Jack-pot, as it exposes his hand. The best authorities on this 
"" subject have decided that the player opening the Jack-pot must show 
cards which contained the positive evidence that he held a hand of a 
fixed value. It may be improved by the draw, as a pair made, two pairs, 
or threes, or fulls, but if he is the opener he cannot draw to a straight 
or a flush. Aside from an exact construction of the rule, as Jack-pots 
are the most important of all the phases of the game, the amount of 
chips on the table being the largest, when it is played, to put a card on 
the table is to favor fraud. The editor, notwithstanding many differ- 
ences of ideas advanced in regard to this point, is most decidedly of the 
opinion that this rule should be enforced. Of course this has nothing to 
do with the rest of the players who come in. They may draw as they 
please, and come in with anything they like. 

When a Jack-pot is opened through a mistake of the player, he has to 
pay for his error, and this penalty should be insisted upon. This penalty 
varies according to agreement. Sometimes the person making the blun- 
der is mulcted to three times the amount in the pot. This we think to 
be too severe. The fact of making the mistake, though the error is dis- 
covered before the cards are drawn, makes no difference. The party mak- 
ing the blunder is ruled out. Suppose that A has made this mistake, is 
not aware of it at once, and B, C, D, and E enter. A declares his mis- 
take, and is ruled out. Then the round may begin over again ; bat if 
any other of the players have a pair of opening cards, they open the pot. 
The status of the other players is not changed by A's mistake. Even if 
A does not find out his error, and has drawn cards, and the others have 
done the same, and then A makes known his error, the rule holds good. 
If the others have not had openers, even if one player with a pair of 
deuces had drawn two other deuces, it makes no matter. It is for this 
reason that the hand of the person opening the Jack-pot should always 
be closely scrutinized. He must expose it after the round, whether he 
has lost or won. 

The temptation to open a Jack-pot by a rascally player being great, 
^he pot always being large, the utmost vigilance should be used. Eatperi- 



138 DRAW POKER. 

ence shows that a great many of the frauds at Poker are concentrated 
around Jack-potSo 

THE STRADDLE. 

The straddle is simply an augmentation of the original ante. A 
being the dealer, B the Age, and B putting up, say, one chip, it 
being so far two chips to come in, C may straddle, that is, he puts 
up two chips, and says, " I straddle." Then it takes four chips to 
come in. If B wants to make his blind good he puts in three more chips, 
as do all the other players. But if B declines to see the straddle, C takes 
B's chip. When the anteing takes place, or coming in prior to receiving 
cards in the draw, the person who has straddled is the last to ante, or 
make good. This gives him the opportunity of position, and he can 
raise. When the draw is completed, B's age is retained, just as hereto- 
fore, and he has the last betting. The advantage to the straddler is only 
before the draw. But the straddle must come from the player after the 
Age, and from no other. A dealing, B is the Age, and C can straddle — 
E cannot, but E can over-straddle B within the limit. 

THE AGE. 

Although everybody is supposed to know what the ** Age*' means at 
Poker, there is no rule more commonly blundered about. The rule must 
be taken in its strictest sense. In no manner whatsoever ought it to be de- 
parted from e::cept in Jack-pot. If the Age B passes out, abandons his 
chip, and D comes in and all the rest, though B is out of the game, D 
must bet first. It maybe a relic of superstition, this tenacious holding of 
the Age, but all conservative players insist on the maintenance of the 
rule. What it does, when once established, is to preclude constant mistakes 
and doubts as to the first bet. 

The only exception is then in the Jack-pot. In the Jack-pot the Age 
has made a forced contribution, and his age has gone, according to the 
rule of Jack-pots. ^See Jack-pot.) 

ADVICE TO PLAYERS. 

There are no rules for playing Poker so as to win. Advice may be 
given so as to limit losses. All absolute laws as to how you must play 
end in disaster. A good player varies his game. He may play a poor 
game for a while on purpose. To deceive is the acme of poker playing. 
The strong point in Poker is never to lose your temper, either with thos& 
you are playing with or, more particularly, with the cards. There is no 



DRAW POKER. 139 

sympathy at Poker. Always keep cool. If you lose your head you wiU 
lose all your chips. Poker being as much a criterion of character as any- 
thing else, keep in the shade your personalities. As llr. Cable has it, 
*' a man who could play delightfully on a guitar, and keep a knife in the 
collar of his coat," would be a perfect poker player. Always belicTe 
in the equalization of chances. If your King flush is beaten twice hand 
running by an Ace flush to-day, to-morrow you will hold the Ace flushes 
and your adversaries the King flushes. If you begin to draw for flushes 
and straights and cannot fill them, you must continue trying to fill them, 
otherwise you throw away your chance of equalizing your draw. Pa- 
tience is one of the strong points of Poker, just as much as cheek. He 
who waits longest finds his opportunity. A player who never bluffs at 
Poker is not in sympathy with the game. His battery is never masked. 
The enemy gives him a wide berth ; when his guns are shotted, no foes 
ever approach. He fires a volley and kills a lame duck. Too much cu- 
riosity is ruinous. All the money saved at Poker comes from not seeing. 
To be over-timid is an equal fault. It is perfectly legitimate to teU 
stories at Poker. All is fair in love, war, and Poker. 

To adhere to anything but the strictly truthful, brings with Poker no 
moral obhquity. As it is Impossible for some players not to lie when 
they pJay, this want of veracity brings its ovm cure. It is not, however, 
a good rule to tell stories about your hand. You may, if you have the 
talent for such thing:s, assume an innocent guise with your face alone. 
This is the most effective of lures. It is best never to show your hand 
at all, if not called, and to remain silent in regard to its merits. A sol- 
emn mystery in regard to your cards is the most effective. Though a 
hand which is miscalled when shown, rests solely on its face value, avoid 
doing this. It should, in fact, never be permitted. It induces fraud. 
An adversary might throw down his cards, the winning ones, when an- 
other player announced something which he did not have. As the holder 
of the best cards has thrown them away, they cannot be found again, and 
he loses, whereas he should have won. It is at the least an ungentle- 
manly trick. It irritates the best - tempered players. When a player 
leaves the room no hand should be dealt him. No two persons ever 
ought to have an interest in the same hand. The reasons for this are 
legion. The strongest is, that it prevents rascality. Then, again, when 
another player takes the hand of a person who is not present, and enters 
or makes a bet, it gives an additional strength to the hand, which is un- 
fair. Never play Poker without a limit. It is then the most dangerous 
of aU games. 



I40 DRA W POKER. 



POSITION AND PROBABILITIES. 

The study of the theory of probabilities for the playing of Poker, /. e.^ 
how to win at it, may be very good in its way. The examination of the 
chance laws is a most interesting one. For practical use they are of no 
value. No one save a genius, in the possession of an exceptional raemory, 
playing like an automaton, could carry these laws into actual practice, 
and such a gifted individual does not usually sit at a poker ta.ble. 

Everybody knows that before the draw one pair is more commonly held 
than two pairs ; and that after the draw, to receive another pair, is more 
usual than to get a third card, which makes threes. The progression of 
difficulties is at once understood when the scale of winning combinations 
is examined, and for the rarity of such combinations the laws of chance 
may be studied. 

For those interested in such mathematical problems, the laws of chance 
relative to Poker are presented in this volume, due to such authorities as 
Pole and Proctor. Mr. Cavendish has also written a learned paper on 
this same topic, but we do not print it, as being too abstract for common 
use. 

There are some very simple, common-sense facts in Poker in regard to 
the advantages of position, which positions are, of course, always cshang- 
ing. 

The hand after the Age, designated as C, after A the dealer, and B the 
Age, has the worst position. If he has anything he comes in first, and 
has to stand the entrance or the possible raises of all who are after him. 
C then is in the position of a man running the gauntlet. For position 
the advantage lies with the last man, who is the Age. He winds up the 
performance. If he happens to hold a good hand, anything above the 
average-^as a pair of aces, or two pairs — he should raise before the draw 
is made. The chances are that he has the best hand, or even if he has 
not, that he forces out some of the others. They will not see his raise, 
and he carries off the pool. 

If all the other players go out, the dealer with a low pair has a good chance 
of winning against the blind. It is the exact reverse of the position of C, 
who plays when he enters against four. A, the dealer, plays against only 
B, the blind. The chances are that the blind has nothing, and gives up. 

For the first player after the Age for C, to raise is a stupidity. All he can 
do is then to win the Age's half ante ; for if he has not a fair hand, the 
Age will give it up. This raise too at the beginning drives out all the 
©thers, unless they hold good hands. C must always play a waiting 



DRAW POKER, I4I 

game. If Hq has a strong hand, he sees the raises or may raise in 
bis turn. 

\i C comes in it is not wise for D to raise, because E and A and B art 
jifter him. The bhnd, who is never given credit for holding anything, is 
in the best position to raise, not alone because he is the last, but for the 
reason that his raise is the most unexpected. It is, therefore, good 
tactics if he has a pair over the average to raise. But the Age still 
remains the most wasting as to chips of all the positions. 

If a player were to retain the Age through a whole game, there are 
ninety-nine chances in a hundred that he would lose. A great many 
chips are lost by the Age by the mere fact of his doubling his ante, or 
making his blind good, relying on his holding one small pair, lower than 
the average. Taking three minutes as the average time to finish one 
round at Poker when five are playing, within an hour the ante man will 
have put up twenty chips. If he plays three hours, he has offered up 
sixty chips. If he has made his blind good, that would be one hundred 
and twenty chips. The chances would be, that as Age he held originally 
some fair hands. The probabilities, if given all in his favor, would be 
when he won with some of his hands. But calculating all to his advan- 
tage, it is quite certain that if he comes in with a small pair, he will lose 
in the three hours, ninety chips. To have the Age, and to bluff with a 
small pair, is very great, and this adds to ruin. 

For the Age to raise, induces the players to believe that there is a blu<f 
in the air, and it looks from a study of the game, as if the Age were more 
constantly called than any other hand. 

The dangers of the Age cannot be too much expatiated upon. It is the 
finest and the worst position at the same time. Steady, experienced play- 
ers, when more than one comes in, often make it a rule to abandon their 
chip if they hold a pair lower than Tens. C, if he knows what he is 
about, will never come in first with less than Tens : and D ought to have 
even better. The percentage against C's winning then is very great. 

"All in the draw." When a person who holds the Age, believes in 
that, it is ruin. Suppose you do go in with two Nines, and draw a third, 
making three nines. The chances are just as good for another player to 
have taken in another Ten, or another Jack, Queen, King, or Ace, and 
then you are beaten. You started too low, and your improvement is 
only so much the worse for you. It requires no explanation to under- 
stand that your adversary's two pairs, made during the draw, with their 
Jacks up, are better than yours, with Tens up. 

To straddle is a weakness. It confers no possible benefit. You assume 
for the moment the apparent advantages of the Age, and then vjhen you 



142 DRA W POKER. 

want this advantage the most — that is, to bet last — you have, according, 
to the rule, to give it up. You have simply doubled the ante. This may, 
or may not, intimidate the rest of the players. It ought never to frighten 
out the Age if he has a pair. The Age, if he has a single pair, will see the 
straddle, v^ith good chances of winning. The person who straddles often 
forgets that the active condition of the game is something entirely differ- 
ent from the passive one. 

Entrance into the game by the last player, A the dealer, when C, D, 
and E are in, unless he has a good pair, is folly. 

When players meet frequently, they all know that a wild player, if 
there is such a one among them, is certain to lose in the long run. Steady 
play— conservative poker is absolutely sure to worst him. He may have 
occasional flights of luck, and draw "a tan-yard from a shoe-string"; but 
that kind of thing does not last long. He may win largely once in a 
while, and all the rest of the time lose quite as largely. 

It may be denied, but experienced players rarely enter without a pair 
of Jacks or better. It is even under exceptional circumstances that they 
draw for a straight or a flush. At the first to ^cs in, after the blind, they 
let the straights and flushes severely alone. If they have the Age, they 
will draw on straights and flushes, and may or may not raise. If there 
are many players, then old players take their chance with a flush or 
straight to draw to. 

With all these explan<xv.Dns for playing, founded on common-sense 
principles, there are numerous exceptions. These exceptions do not arise 
from the laws of chance, but have to do with the idiosyncrasies of the 
players. Most of the money lost at Poker comes from seeing. Curiosity 
is fatal. All the money saved arises from want of curiosity. Still, take 
the player who has won twice hand running, his hand having been called, 
if he makes a high bet a third time with a new hand, there are many 
chance*: that he is bluffing. It is not likely that he will have three times 
consecutively the best cards. 

Whether to draw for a straight or a flush depends not only on position, 
but how many cards your adversaries take. If you see the blind, and have, 
say, four hearts, or four clubs, spades or diamonds, your four cards end- 
ing with a Queen, King, or Ace, and the other card being a Queen, King, 
or Ace, you have a pair. Are you to retain a pair or draw for a flush ? 
If the majority of those before you draw one card, they may also be 
drawing to a flush or straight, but at the same time they may have two 
pairs or threes. If the majority of the adversaries draw one card, what 
should you do ? We would not advise throwing away the Queens, but 
^ draw three cards. If you make two pairs or three Queens, your hand 



DRA W POKER, 1 43 

is above the average. But we would throw away a pair of tens. Haviag 
a straight to make, the same plan is recommended. If the flush is made, 
or the straight, of course the advantages of this hand are immense. The 
temptation to raise on a straight to be made or a flush to be made is very 
great, as it is likewise for players having the making of these two com- 
binations to see the raises. They look, when one card is drawn, like two 
pairs or threes in hand. The player raising on a flush or straight in the 
future, is bound to bet on it, and mostly wins, providing other players 
nave only two small pairs. It is here that the bluff must be pushed 
home. 

How to draw on threes, whether by taking two cards or by dispensing 
with their presence, asking for one card is only a question of expediency. 
Poker, in order to be well played, must be ever changing in its methods. 
Deceit is the constant element. It is quite unlikely that when C is raised 
by D, and that C only takes two cards, that he has not a boiiafide trip- 
let. If you have raised on two pairs, you had better treat the matter 
mildly, and if he raises, go out. Even four of a kind may be disguised 
by the drawing of one card, or by standing pat. In fact, whether there 
is anything in a hand or not, can never be known until it is call**d ; with 
threes, is it then better to draw two cards or one ? If two cards were 
drawn the chances of making a four are possible ; but at the same time, 
the value of the hand is given away to the players. The probabilities of 
having fours, are 4,164 to i — of a full, 693 to i. Many players having 
threes, discard, invariably, the lowest card. They believe that the higher 
cards have been retained by the other hands coming in. The only thing 
in regard to the discard of the lowest card, is that once begun, it must al- 
ways be continued. 

Theoretically, calculations as to what should happen with cards^ do not 
avail against what actually does take place. Luck is a perverse jade, and 
refuses to be bridled. In theory, in 10,900 games of Poker, there ought 
to occur at least fours ten times. In an actual game, fours never came 
out but once, and yet at one sitting, on three occasions fours have ap- 
peared, and during the same time two straight flushes. More straight* 
per contra by fifty per cent, were dealt in an actual game than should have 
been theoretically present. There were sixty dealt, while there should 
have been but forty, according to the books. Strangely enough, the 
threes tallied with the theory, and in two pairs and single pairs the play^ 
ers and the theorists were wonderfully close, 

A player ought in a certain way to equalize his chances, and do th«» 
same thing over and over again. This equalization of his chances, 
and the advantages of it, may not be apparent during one game, but 



T44 DRAW POKER. 

©nly during a series of games. Win to-day, lose to-morrow, is the maxim. 
It is not the cards that change, it is human nature. 

When a player takes but one card, it is a rule among conservative 
players to see his bet, if they have a good hand, but not to raise him. 
This rule is applied when only two are in. Two fulls may meet each 
other in this dull way. But it is foreign to the game of Poker, and be- 
longs to the automatic way of playing. 

It is impossible to estimate the value of a hand. The heaviest losses 
may be made on four Kings. Never think how much you may win on a 
good* hand, but how much you can lose. There is no such thing as 
cowardice at Poker. A player has stood on a pat. Ace, King, flush, and, 
raising, seen without raising another flush which had drawn on foui 
cards, with an Ace, King, Queen, flush, and thereby the holder of the 
pat hand saved innumerable chips — it having cost him no more than if he 
had had two pairs. Ace high. Those who pity '* your poor play," are by 
no means willing to share your risks. 

Jack-pots have very much changed the character of the game, and in 
one respect to its detriment. On the other hand, it has equalized Poker. 
It is really at best but a show of hands. A great deal depends in Jack- 
pot on the character of the game, whether it is a high or a low one. 
Among conservative players, the first player, C, will not open on Jacks ; 
the risk is too great. If all pass to the dealer, he is safe to open on 
Jacks. Some players will never open themselves, or come in afterward 
without two good pairs, at the lowest Kings up, or threes. 

The losses at Jack-pot, where the limit is reached every time, are 
heavier, it should be remembered, than at any other period during the 
game. Bluffing in the play of Jack-pot should be eschewed — nothing is 
more dangerous. The chances are, that starting in with good hands, 
the bluff will be seen. A conservative player is never tempted in a Jack- 
pot, with a flush or straight to be drawn to. To raise the opener of a 
Jack-pot requires a good hand. If the player after the opener raises, 
and the opener raises in his turn, do nothing more than call unless a 
superlative hand is there. 

A trick in the Jack-pot, when all have passed up to E, and E opens, 
is for A, the last to come in, to raise him. All the others are weak, having 
passed out once, and it is likely that E will drop. But this is, like all 
things in Poker, uncertain. 

In all these hints as to playing Poker, the supposition is, that there is a 
limit. In fact this treatise on Poker is written only for those who play 
with a limit. To play Poker without a limit is ruin. The game without 
a limit brings to the front all the rascals. It is a temptation to fraud. 



DRA W POKER, T/t^ 

It is rather difficult to state what shall be the limit. Penny-ante, with 
a limit of 20 cents, suffices for all amusement. The losses may be $5 ; 
with a $1 limit, $10 ; with a $2 limit, $75 ; with a $5 Hmit, $250. It is 
the limit which largely increases the losses. A player may lose $5 and 
go to bed happy. But with a loss of $250, it is pretty certain that the 
player does not sleep sweetly. A heavy game is destructive of Poker. No 
purse is big enough to stand it. In fact, harmless as is Poker when 
played with reason, when unreasonably indulged in it ends with deso- 
lation and dishonor. 

PLAYING THE PAT HAND. 

The pat hand means a hand which is played without having recourse 
to the draw. It may contain anything, from cards of no value up to a 
straight flush. There are all possibilities in a pat hand. Sometimes a 
player will raise on a pat hand according to position, and when called 
may exhibit two poor or two good pairs, or threes. He has played a 
mongrel pat. He had something and wanted to make his hand appear 
stronger than it really was. Such a hand containing two small pairs or 
three deuces, if started by a raise and backed up by a bluff, might make 
a better pair of threes, or a very low straight, take water. 

Where Poker is played according to the spirit of the game, it is pretty 
certain that one-eighth of the pat hands are bogus ; because they are 
made to appear more frequently than: the laws of chance permit. It is 
a very puzzling play to face with success. A good player, however, often 
employs it. When in the draw the first player who comes in refuses any 
fresh cards, it looks as if he really had pat a ready-made hand. When 
several are in, and bet a single chip, showing little strength, the final 
raise on the pat hand, which has nothing, generally takes the pot. 

When a real pat hand, which has a straight, flush, full, fours, or a 
straight flush comes to a player, the holding of either of them often in- 
duces an over-estimation of their values. The straight may begin with an 
Ace and end with a Five, then it is the lowest ; or it may be a flush with 
only Ten high, or a full of deuces. The better it is, the more you may 
count on its winning ; but never lose your head over a pat hand. Noth- 
ing is invincible in Poker but a straight flush, ace high. 

With a bona fide pat in hand, having position, and raising, watch out 
for those drawing one card, if, after your final raise, they raise back on 
you. If your straight is low, or your flush is low, or your full is low, you 
might be then very expensively beaten. 

The pat hand with nothing in it, is, among good players, a very likely 
bluff. If it wins it is always shown by them. Then a reputation fof 



146 DRA W POKER, 

bluffing is gained by the player, which is exactly what he has been trying 

to establish. 

It is, of course, impossible with a simulated pat hand not to bet on it. 

The least timidity exposes it. That would be like a battery having a 

heavy gun letting off a squib. Occasionally a wheedling bet, however, as 

if the player implored the others to see him, wins the pot. The other 

players think it a tempting lure, and say, *'No, I thank you I "and 

are taken in. 

PUSHING YOUR LUCK. 

What is called "pushing your luck" at Poker is often expatiated 
iipon. *'A11 in the draw "is frequently repeated. There are certain 
series which do appear in certain games. In Poker there is only one 
which you can take advantage of. The player who holds most frequently 
two pairs will win. It is not the single immense pots which help the pile of 
chips, but the bulk of the small ones. Sometimes a player for hours will 
never hold a single pair higher than fives. Then he must learn patience 
and stay out. Then may come the picture-card periods and the threes. 
It is then wise under certain circumstances to pfay them for what they are 
worth. But *' to push your luck," as many Poker players understand it, 
is to come in with nothing, and trust to chance to improve. This always 
depletes a player. 

Steadiness in play often makes up for losses. It is not a great hand 
that makes a player square or ahead, but often a moderate hand, so that 
it comes in at the right time. Threes win more than fulls. Bide yowr 
time is the best rule. Show no impatience. Remember that there is 
equalization of chances. When losing beware of making the straddle. 
To straddle is to force your luck. Be more observant than ever. Watch, 
when you are going " to the bad," who has won or who has lost. The 
winners may show greed or covetousness. Try and appreciate the dif- 
ferences in their methods of playing. 

To cut short your bosses can be done only in one way. This is a term 
frequently used, and its application is not well understood. It means 
simply this : You are willing to lose $5 ; lose that and not another cent. 
That is " cutting short your losses." ** Let your profits go on," means 
that you can keep on as long as you are winning. There is a great deal 
of selfishness about Poker. 

ASKING QUESTIONS AT POKER. 

It sometimes happens, that from inattention during a game of Poker, 
& player does not know how many cards another person has taken. The 
player whose draw he wants to be positive about, has certainly told the 



DRAW POKER. 147 

dealer in tones loud enough to be heard. Once the cards are dealt, it should 
have been the duty of the inquiring player to learn what was this demand. 
If a deaf man plays Poker, perhaps he might ask the question, but not 
otherwise. Even then his infirmity might find no indulgence. When the 
dealer takes cards, he should invariably announce how many cards he 
takes. This should be insisted upon. The dealer might hold a bona fide 
pat hand, and saying nothing, disguise the strength of his cards. Some 
players believe that they have a right to ask the dealer this question, who 
& bound to reply to them. But this is against the rules. If more than 
three are in, no one has a right to reply to the question of one of the 
players. When two alone are in, it is optional. The one interrogated 
may answer if he pleases, because he can do no one else any harm. 

Disputes about this are constant, and various authorities have been 
presented. The latest decision is, that no questions are permissible. 

The indication made by a sign, as of thumping on the table, when no 
cards are taken, if alone used, is out of order. A player may thump all he 
pleases, but must say also, " I do not want any cards." No pantomime is 
possible in Poker. The thump may be misinterpreted, for it is often em- 
ployed, with a less degree of force, when players pass out. 

TABLE STAKES. 

By table stakes, or playing table stakes, a person who bets must have the 
money before him. It prevents any credit. You cannot owe when ** table 
stakes " are played, nor can you be raised out for more chips or money 
than you have before you ; as far as reducing credit to a minimum, it is 
useful. 

In olden times, when table stakes were played, it was employed as a 
device to drive out another player. If he had not the chips or money, he 
left. He had, however, one recourse. He might declare his ability to 
raise the money. Then the game was closed for the time being, and the 
hands sealed up for twelve hours. Then if he showed up with the money 
the game was continued. 

THE FREEZE-OUT. 
The Freeze-out, is so called, because when it is played all the perform- 
ers are left out in the cold, with the exception of one. It is a duel at 
cards. In a certain way it has its advantages, because it limits individual 
losses. The players each take the same number of chips, and the game 
closes when one player has won them all. For example, five players 
each take twenty chips. There are one hundred chips out. The freeze- 
out is ended, when one of the party has the one hundred chips. The 
game is carried on undei all th§ rni*e§ of Poker, with, however, this 



148 DRA W POKER. 

exception, and that is in regard to the limit, for it never should be played 
without the limit. Say the limit is ten, one player or more are reduced 
to their last five chips. The player having the bulk of chips cannot then 
insist on the limit, he can only bet as many chips as his adversaries have. 
The freeze-out is not precisely a social game, because necessarily the 
players drop out one by one. At the conclusion of the game it is obvious 
that great caution is necessary. The last chips are carefully nursed. 
Jack-pots are not generally played in a Freeze-out, but this is optionaL 

THE WIDOW, OR KITTY. 

By the Widow^, or as it is more commonly known as " Kitty," is meant 
a percentage, taken in chips at certain occasions during the game of 
Poker. This percentage may be put to the account of the club where 
the game is being played, and defrays the cost of cards, use of chips, gas, 
attendance, etc. The Kitty may, however, be introduced when no ex- 
penses occur. When threes or better are made on a called hand, or when 
Jack-pots are played, one chip is taken f ronL the pool and put aside. 
These chips amount to quite a number at the end of the game. Then 
they may be either divided among the players or made into Jack-pots, as 
a consolation stake, and so wind up the game. 

BUCK. 

Originally the Buck was a pocket-knife passing always to the left, indi- 
cating only the deal. Perhaps from the handle of the knife being of 
buck-horn, the term is derived. By a process of evolution, the buck in 
Poker is made sometimes a representative of value, and can be put up by 
the Age, It may designate a certain number of chips, say, for instance, 
five. Then if the Age makes his blind good, he puts up five more chips. 
The rest of the players, when they come in, do the same thing. The 
person who wins it when he is the Age, puts up the buck. When the 
game is over, the person who has issued the buck redeems it, at the value 
he put on it. . 

In some cases the buck is used in order to induce the Jack-pot, of 
course by prior agreement. Whoever has the buck when he deals, puts 
it on the table with two or more chips, and then all contribute to making 
a Jack-pot. Whoever wins the Jack-pot, when it is his turn to deal, puts 
it up, and another Jack-pot is in order. Too many Jack-pots in a game, 
or forced contributions, destroy the character of Poker. They come in 
sufficient frequency, under ordinary circumstances. 

A knife is not an obligatory buck. In the Far West, a revolver on the 
table sometimes serves the purpose of a buck. 



POKER PRINCIPLES AND CHANCE LAWS. 

By Prootor. 



Let us coMsider briefly what are the chances for each different kmd o4 
hand at Poker. 

f irst, the total number of ways in which a set of five cards can be 
formed out of a pack containing 52 cards has to be determined. This is 
easy enough. You multiply together 52, 51, 50, 49, and 48, and divide 
the product by that obtained from multiplying together i, 2, 3, 4, and 5. 
You thus get 2,598,960 as the total number of Poker hands. 

It is very easy to determine the number of flushes and sequences and 
flush sequences which are possible. 

Thus, begin with the flush sequences. We can have in each suit^ Ace, 
2, 3, 4, 5 ; 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ; 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ; and so on up to 10, Knave, Queen, 
King, Ace ; or in all there are ten flush sequences in each suit, forty flush 
sequences in all. 

The number of sequences which are not flush may be thus determined. 
The arrangement of numbers may be any one of the ten just indicated. 
But taking any one of these, as 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, the three may be of any suit 
out of the four; so that each arrangement may be obtained in four 
different ways as respects the first card; so with the second, third, 
etc.; or in all 4 times 4 times 4 times 4 times 4, or 1,024, four of which 
only will be flushes. Thus there are 1,020 times 10, or 10,200 sequences 
which are not flush. jff 

Now as respects flushes their number is very easily determined. The 
number of combinations of five cards which can be formed out of the 
13 cards of a suit are given by multiplying together 13, 12, 11, 10, and 9, 
and dividing by the product of i, 2, 3, 4, 5 ; this will be found to be 1,287. 
Thus there are 4 times 1,287, or 5,148 possible flushes. Of these, 5,108 
are not sequence flushes. 

The total number of "four" hands may be considered next. The 
process for finding it is very simple. There are, of course, only 13 
fours, each of which can be taken with any one of the remaining 48 
cards, so that there are 13 times 48, or 624 possible four hands. 

For the benefit of those who like a game with seven or eight players, 
a deck has been devised which contains cards of the denomination 11, 
12, and 13. This adds twelve cards to the deck, leaving twenty-four to 
draw from after the deal, which under ordinary conditions is a suffi- 
cient number to do away with the necessity of dealing the discards. 

(149) 



I50 DRAW POKER. 

Next to determine the number of *♦ full hands." This is not difficult, 
out requires a little more attention. A full hand consists of a triplet and 
a pair. Now manifestly there are four triplets of each kind — four sets of 
three Aces, four of three Kings, and so forth (for we may take each Ace 
from the four Aces in succession, leaving in each case a different triplet 
of Aces ; and so with the other denominations). Thus, in all, 4 times 
13, or 52 different triplets can be formed out of the pack of 52 cards. 
When one of these triplets has been formed there remain 49 cards, out 
of which the total number of sets of two which can be formed is ob- 
tained by multiplying 49 by 48 and dividing by two ; whence we get 1,176 
such combinations in all. But the total number of pairs which can be 
formed from among these 49 cards is much smaller. There are four 
twos, which (as cribbage teaches us) will give six pairs of twos ; so 
there are six pairs of threes, six pairs of fours, and so on ; or as there 
are only twelve possible kinds of pairs (after our triplet removed), there 
are in all 6 times 12, that is 72, possible pairs which can with the triplet 
form a full hand. Hence, as there are 52 possible triplets, the total 
number of full hands is 52 times 72, or 3,744. 

The number of triplet hands which are not also fours or fulls (for 
every four hand contains triplets) follows at once from the above. There 
are 52 possible triplets, each of which can be combined with 1,176 com- 
binations of two cards out of the remaining 49, giving in all 52 times 
2,176, or 61,152 sets of five, three at least of which are alike. But 
there are 624 four hands, each of which is not only a triplet hand, but 
will manifestly make four of the triplet hands our gross reckoning in- 
cludes (for from every four you can make three triplets), and there are 
3,744 full hands. These (to wit, 4,496 fours, and 5,744 fulls, or 6,240 
hands in all) must be removed from our count, leaving 54,912 triplet 
hands (proper) in all. 

This last result might have been obtained another way, which (as I 
shall use it for counting pair hands) I may as well indicate here. Taking 
any triplet of the 52, there remain 49 cards, one of which is of the same 
denomination as the triplet. Removing this, there are left 48 cards, out 
of which the number of sets of two which can be formed is obtained by 
multiplying 48 by 47 and dividing by 2 ; it is therefore 1,128, and among 
these 72 are pairs. There remain then 1,056 sets of two, any one of 
which can be combined with each of 52 triplets to give a triplet hand 
pure and simple. Thus, in all, there are 52 times 1,056 triplet hands, or 
54,912, as before. 

Next for double and single pairs. 

From the whole pack of 52 cards we can form 6 times 13 pairs ; for € 



DRA W POKER. 



151 



A-ces can be formed, 6 pairs of twos, 6 pairs of threes, and so fortfc. 
Thus there are in all 78 different pairs. When we have taken out any 
pair, there remain 50 cards. From these we must remove the two card^ 
of the same denomination, as either or both of these must not appear in 
the hand to be formed. There remain 48 cards, from which we can form 
72 other pairs. Each of these can be taken with any one of the 46 re- 
maining cards, except with those two which are of the same denomi- 
nation, or with 44 in all, without forming triplet. Each of these com- 
binations can be taken with each of the 78 pairs, giving a two-pair hand, 
only it is obvious that each two-pair hand w-U be given twice by this ar- 
rangement. Thus the total number of two-pair hands is half of 78 times 
72 times 44, or there are 123,552 such hands in ill. 

Next, as to simple pairs. We get, as before, '8 different pairs. Each 
of these can be taken with any set of three formed out of the 48 cards 
left when the other 2 of the same denomination have been removed, ex- 
cept the 72 times 44 (that is 3, 168) pairs indicated in dealing with the 
last case, and the 48 triplets which can be formed out of these same 48 
cards, or 3,216 sets in all. Now the total number of sets of three cards 
which can be formed out of 48 is given by multiplying 48 by 47 by 46, 
and dividing by the product of the numbers i, 2, and 3. It is found to 
be 17,296. We diminish this by 3,216, getting 14,082, and find that tnere 
are in all 78 times 14,082 or 1,098,240. 

The hands which remain are those which are to be estimated by the 
highest card in them ; and their number will of course be obtained by 
subtracting the sum of the numbers already obtained from the total 
number of possible hands. We thus obtain the number 1,302,540. 

Thus of the four best classes of hands, there are the following 
numbers : 



Of flush sequences there may be 

*♦ four 

«» full hands . 

" common flushes . 

** common sequences 

*' triplets . 

** two pairs 

•* pairs 

" other hands * 



Total number of possible hands 



40 
624 

3,744 

5,108 

10,200 

54,912 

123,552 
1,098,240 
1,302,540 

2,598,960 



* It is easy to test the accuracy of the whole series of calculations by dc- 



I :;2 ^^^ ^ POKER. 

It will be seen that those who devised the rules for Poker play set the 
different hands in very proper order. It is fitting, for instance, that as 
there are only 40 possible flush sequence hands, out of a total number of 
2,598,960 hands, while there are 624 "four" hands, the flush sequences 
should come first, and so with the rest. It is noteworthy, however, that 
when sequences were not counted, as was the rule in former times, there 
was one hand absolutely unique and unconquerable. The holder of four 
Aces then wagered on a certainty, for no one else could hold that hand. 
At present there is no absolutely sure winning hand. The holder of Ace, 
King, Queen, Knave, ten, flush, may (though it is of course exceedingly 
unlikely) be met by the holder of the same cards, flush, in another suit. 
Or when we remember that at whist it has happened that the deal di- 
vided the four suits among the four players, to each a complete suit, we 
see that four players at Poker might each receive a flush sequence headed 
by the Ace. Thus the use of sequences has saved Poker players from 
the possible risk of having either to stand out or wager on a certainty, 
which last would of course be very painful to the feelings of a profes- 
sional gambler. 

We might subdivide the hands above classified into a much longer 
array, beginning thus : 4 flush sequences headed by Ace ; 4 headed by 
King, and so on down to 4 headed by five ; 48 possible four-aces hands ; 48 
four-kings hands ; and so on down to 48 four-twos hands ; 24 possible 
" fulls "of 3 aces and 2 kings ; as many of 3 aoes and two queens ; and 
so on down to 24 ** fulls " of 3 twos and 2 threes, and so on. Any one 
who cares to do this can, by drawing the line at any hand, ascertain at once 
the number of hands above and not above that hand in value ; and thus 
determine the chance that any hand taken at ran dom is above or below 
that particular hand in value. The comparatively simple table above 
only shows how many hands there are above or n ot above pairs, triplets, 
and the like. But the more complete series could be very easily formed. 

We note from the above table that more than 1 alf the possible Poker 
hands are below pairs in value. So that Clay was right enough in 



termining independently how many hands there are n^ >t belonging to the first 
eight classes. Thus, as all the cards of the iive are of d fferent denominations, 
we first take the combinations of the thirteen card names fiv« together. 
These (as in dealing with common flushes above) are i »285 in niunber. But, 
as in dealing with common sequences, we mi»st multi >?^* "^^ese by 4 times 4 
times 4 times 4 times 4, or by 1,024, getting 1,317,888. S* Vmcting thence the 
flushes and sequences, 15,348 in all, we get 1,302,540 ai O*. total number of 
common hands (not containing pairs or the like) as above 



DRAW POKER, I S3 

wagering on an Ace-hi^h hand, seeing that there aiv. inore hands which 
will not beat it (supposing the highest next card a King, at any rate) than 
there are hands that will ; but he was quite wrong in calling on such a 
hand, even against a single opponent. 

The effect of increase in the number of hands can also readily be deter- 
mined. Many, even among gamblers, know so little of the doctrine of 
chances as not to be aware of, still less to be able to measure the effect of, 
the presence of a great number of othei* contestants. Yet it is easy to 
illustrate the matter. 

Thus, suppose a player casts a die single against one other. If the first 
has '^ast four the odds are in favor of his not being beaten ; for there are 
onl]? '.wo casts which willh^zX. him and four which will not. The chance 
that Jtte will not be beaten by a single opponent is thus 4/6ths or 2/3. If 
there is another opponent, the chance that he individually wiU not cast 
better than 4, is also 2/3. But the chance that neither will throw better 
^.han 4 is obtained by multiplying 2/3 by 2/3. It is therefore 4/9 ; or the 
odds are 5 to 4 in favor of one or other beating the cast of the first 
thrower. If there are three others, in like manner the chance that not 
one of the three will throw better than 4 is obtained by multiplying 2/3 
jy 2/3 by 2/3. It is, therefore, 8/27 ; or the odds are 19 to 8 in favor of 
the first thrower's cast of 4 being beaten. And so with every increase in 
the number of other throwers, the chance of the first thrower's cast being 
beaten is increased. So that if the first thrower casts 4, and is offered 
his share of the stakes before the next throw is made, the offer is a bad 
one if there is but one opponent, a good one if there are two, and a very 
good one if there are more than two. 

In like manner, the same hand which it would be safe to stand on (as 
a rule) at Poker against two or three opponents, may be a very unsafe 
hand to stand on against five or six. 

Then the player has to consider the pretty chance-problems involved 
in drawing. 

Suppose, for instance, your original hand contains a pair — the other 
three cards being all unlike ; should you stand out ? or should you draw ? 
(to purchase right to which you must stand in); or should you stand in 
without drawing ? Again, if you draw, how many of the three loose 
cards should you throw out ? and what are your chances of improving 
your hand ? 

Here you have to consider first whether you will stand in, which de- 
pends not on the value of your pair only, but also on the chance that your 
hand will be improved by drawing. Having decided to stand in, remem* 
ber that discarding three tells the rest of the company that in all prob* 



154 DRAW POKER. 

ability you are drawing to improve a pair hand ; and at Poker, telling 
anything helps the enemy. If one of your loose cards is an Ace, you do 
well to discard only the other two ; for this looks like drawing to a trip- 
let, and you may chance to draw a pair to your Ace. But usually you have 
so much better chance of improving your hand by drawing three, that it 
is, as a rule, better to do this. 

Drawing to a triplet is usually good policy. " Your mathematical ex- 
pectation of improvement is slight," says one work on the subject, '* being 
T to 23 of a fourth card [it should be the fourth card] of the same denom- 
ination, and 2 to 23 of another pair of denomination different from the 
triplet," a remark suggesting the comment that to obtain a pair of the 
same denomination as the triplet, would require play something like 
what we hear of in old Mississippi stories, where a "straight flush" 
would be met by a very full pair of hands, to wit, five in one hand and 
a revolver in the other ! The total expectation of improvement is i to 8 ; 
but then see what an impression you make by a draw which means g 
good hand. Then, too, you may suggest a yet better hand, without 
much impairing your chance of improvement by drawing one card only. 
This gives you one chance in 47 of making fours, and one in 16 of pick- 
ing up one of the three cards of the same denomination as the odd cards 
you retain. This is a chance of i in 12. 

*♦ Draws to straights and flushes are usually dearly purchased," says 
our oracle \ "always so at a small table. Their value increases directly 
as the number of players." (The word *' directly " is here incorrectly 
used, the value increases as the number of players, but not directly as 
the number.) Of course in drawing to a two-ended straight, that is one 
which does not begin or end with an Ace, the chance of success is rep- 
resented by 8 in 47, for there are 47 cards outside your original hand, of 
which only eight are good to complete the straight. For a one-end 
straight the chance is but 4 in 47. With a small chance, too, of improv- 
ing your hand, you are trying for a hand better than you want in any but 
a large company. *' If you play in a large party," says one authority, 
*' say seven or eight, and find occasion to draw for a straight against six 
players, do so by all means, even if you split aces." The advice is sound. 
Under the circumstances you need a better hand than ace-pair to give you 
your fair sixth share of the chances. 

As to flushes your chances are better, when you have already five of a 
suit. You discard one, and out of the remaining 47 cards any one of 
nine will make your flush for you. Your chance then is i in 5I. In deal- 
ing with this point our oracle goes altogether wrong, and adopts a prin: 
ciple so inconsistent with the doctrine of probabilities as to show thatf 



DRAW POKER. 155 

though he knows much more than Steinmetz, he still labors under some* 
what similar illusions. *' Theoretically," says he, ''the result just ol> 
tained is absolutely true ; but I have experimented with six hands through 
a succession of 500 deals, and filled only 83 flushes in the 500, equal to 
one in six and one-twentieth draws. Of course I am not prepared to 
say that this would be the average in many thousand deals ; theoretically 
it is an untrue result ; but I here suggest a possible explanation of what I 
confess is to me a mystery." Then he expounds the very matter on which 
we touched above. " In casting dice," he says, " theoretically^ any given 
throw has no influence upon the next throw, and is not influenced by the 
previous throw. Yet if you throw a die and it turns up six, while the 
chances are theoretically one to six" (one in six it should be) "that the 
next throw will produce a six because the previous throw of six lies ab- 
solutely in the past, yet you may safely bet something more than the 
usual odds against it. Then suppose the second throw turns up a six, 
that throw also now lies in the past, and cannot be proved to have an in- 
fluence upon throw number three, which you are preparing to make. If 
any material influence is suspected you may change the box and die ; and 
you may now bet twice the usual odds against the six. Why ? Because 
you know by experience that it is extremely difficult to throw six three 
times in succession, even if you do not know the precise odds against it. 
Granted, certain odds against throwing six twice in succession, etc., yet 
at any given moment when the player shakes the box in which is a six- 
faced die, he has one chance in six of throwing a six ; and yet if he has 
just thrown sixes twice, you may bet twelve to one that he will not throw 
a six in that particular cast." If I did not hold gambling to be near akin 
to swindling, and could find but a few hundred who held this doctrine, 
how much money might I not gain by accepting any number of wagers 
of this wise sort ! 

The fact is, the mistake here, is just the ridiculous mistake which Stein- 
metz called " the maturity of the chances" over again. It is a mistake 
which has misled to their ruin many thousands of gamblers, who might 
^ave escaped the evil influence of that other equally foolish mistake about 
heing lucky or unlucky, in the vein or out of it. Steinmetz puts the mat- 
ter thus : " In a game of chance, the oftener the same combination has 
*>icurrftd in succession, the nearer are we to the certainty that it will not 
vectT at the next cast or turn-up : this is the most elementary of the 
thet^rves on probabilities ; it is termed the maturity of the chances." The 
real tact being that this is not a theory of probabilities at all, but dis- 
proved by the theory of probabilities, and disproved, whenever it has been 
put to i\^ test, by facts. 



IS6 DRAW POKER. 

Take the case considered in *' The Complete Poker Pla3rer," and note 
die evidence on the strength of which the author of that work rejects the 
theory in favor of a practical common-sense notion (as he thinks), which 
is, in reahty, nonsense. You may expect 9 successful draws to a flush in 
47 hands ; therefore in the 500 deals he experimented upon, he might 
have expected 95 or 96 ; and he only obtained 83. Now 500 trials are far 
too few to test such a matter as this. You can hardly test even the toss 
ing of a coin properly by fewer than a thousand trials ; and in that cas( 
there are but 2 possible events. Here there are 47, of which 9 are favor- 
able. It is the failure to recognize this which led the Astronomer Royal 
for Scotland to recognize something mystical and significant in the pre- 
ponderance of 3's and the deficiency of 7's among the digits representing 
the proportion of the circumference to the diameter of a circle. In cast- 
ing a coin a great number of times, we do not find that the occurrence of 
a great number of successive heads or tails in any way affects the average 
proportion of heads or tails coming nexl after the series. Thus I have 
before me the record of a series of 16,317 tossings, in which the number 
of sequences of tails (only) were rendered ; and I find that after 271 
cases, in which tails had been tossed 5 times in succession, the next toss- 
ing gave in 132 cases heads, and in 139 cases tails. Among the 16,317 
tossings, two cases occurred in which tail was tossed 15 times in succes- 
sion, which, as it happens, is more than theory would regard as probable. 

Here, however, I must draw these notes to a close. I have been al- 
ready led on farther than I had intended to go. I shall note only one 
other of the doctrines (mostly sound enough theoretically) laid down in 
the ** Complete Poker Player." Players sometimes, he says, act on the 
strange principle that if they are in bad luck, it is well to try the bold ex- 
periments usually regarded as bad play — as two negatives in algebra make 
a positive, so they think that bad play and bad luck united will win. On 
this our author makes the significant comment, * ' a slight degree of in- 
toxication aids to perfect this intellectual deduction." Poker-playing 
generally, as a process for making money more quickly, is much improved 
and p^Uvened by a slight degree of intoxication. 

STRAIGHT POKER. 

The fifty-two cards are used, and the rule of the game the same as in 
ordinary Poker, with these exceptions. Deal passes to the person win- 
ning. Before playing everybody puts up a chip. Yoii can pass and come 
m again at your pleasure. The original cards are what you play with, 
and you do not draw. When nobody enters, the player to the left of the 



DRAW POKER. IC7 

dealer makes a new round of cards. Bucks are often used for conven- 
ience, the elder hand putting in as many chips as there are players. 

STUD POKER. 

In dealing, five cards are given as in Poker. The first card is placed 
face down, the others with their faces up. Then a card or cards are 
drawn, which are not exposed. The raising and all else as in usual 
Poker. 

WHISKEY POKER. 

This game begins by each player putting a chip in the pool. Hands 
as in Poker are dealt, with one extra hand, placed face downward on the 
table. This hand is called the widow. The elder hand has the choice 
of passing, or taking the five cards of the widow. If he passes, the hand 
after him has the privilege. If the widow is taken, the player puts face 
up on the table the hand he has originally held, and from this, in rota- 
tion, the other hands take a card or the cards they want, replacing in the 
widow the cards they have taken from their own hands. When one 
player is satisfied with his hand, he intimates that he will close the game. 
Those after him and up to him are still entitled to take or exchange 
cards, until his place is reached. Then there is a show of hands, but 
no betting. The best hand wins. If the first player has a good hand, 
and decides to close the game, the widow may still be used or exchanged 
with the widow made as before described. 

MISTIGRIS. 
The Joker is used. The Joker makes fifty-three cards in the pack. 
The Mistigris, in a player's hand, entitles him to increase the value of his 
hand. If he has a pair, holding the Mistigris makes them threes. With 
threes, the Mistigris makes them fours. With two pairs, it converts the 
hand into a full. It has all latitude, makes straights, flushes, etc., etc. 
Sometimes its power is diminished of course by agreement, as in a full, 
increasing only the lower pair. All else is as in regular Poker. 

TIGER. 

This is a dreadful innovation, but as it is occasionally played we give it 
a place in this volume. The Tiger in a hand of Poker is the very lowest 
combination of cards which can be held. Five cards beginning with a 
seven and ending with a deuce is a Tiger. Thus seven, six, five, four, 
and deuce, and nothing else, is a Tiger. There must be no pair in it. 
It can be drawn for. It is supposed to be better than a straight, and not 
as good as a flush. A Tiger then beats threes. — Editor. 



158 DRAW POKER. 



PROGRESSIVE POKER. 

Progressive Poker was invented when Progressive I^^uchre was the fad. 
It is an excellent game for the drawing doom, as chips of a nominal 
value alone are used. It is entertaining and any number of persons 
can play. Four tables or more can be used. Five play at the first table 
and four at each of the other tables except at the last or "booby" table, 
at which six are seated. New-comers can sit at the booby table until 
the number of players has reached six, when, a new booby table must 
be arranged taking all but four players from the erstwhile booby. 

The banker is selected by the players, and he assigns positions of 
players, attends to the distribution of chips, and so on. 

Cards are hung over the different tables denoting the amount of ante 
and the limit allowed at the table. The head table must have a bell 
with which to indicate when to stop playing and to change tables. 

The players, as in Progressive E)uchre, are seated according to cards 
they draw. When the drawing is complete the banker gives to each 
player the same number of chips. The chips are, as usual, of different 
colors and are of different values. It would be well to fix the values 
thus: Red worth five white ones; the blue, five red ones, etc. 

The game is then played as regular Poker is played, with these ex- 
ceptions: At the head table, table stakes must be played — that is, no 
player must bet more chips than he actually holds. A player at the 
head table cannot borrow from another player nor from the banker. 
And at this table alone are jack-pots allowed. These are played as jack- 
pots are generally played, except that the buck is placed in the middle 
of the table and is taken by the winner of the first pot after each change 
of players. The jack-pot must be fattened by a blue chip from each 
player before each deal until it is opened. Progressive jack-pots are al- 
ways played. 

At the other tables a limit is fixed beyond which no player can bet. 
The limits are: 

At second table, one blue chip; at third, three red chips; at fourth, 
two red chips; at fifth, one red chip; at sixth, or booby table, one white 
chip. If there are more tables than this number, the banker must set- 
tle the limit. 

At each table the deal at the start is cut for, the lowest dealing and 
ace counting as low. As the game progresses and the players move 
from table to table, the age goes to the last lady coming to a table, and 
the cards are dealt by the player to her right. If two ladies progress to 



DRAIV POKER, 159 

the same table, they cut; if no lady comes to the table by progression, 
the deal is cut for. 

The play at the first table, as in Progressive Euchre, determines the 
time for progression. When a jack-pot is won at the first table the 
bell is rung and play ceases, except at those tables where there is an 
vmfinished hand, which is played out. The players of these hands may 
call and cannot raise, a raise not being permitted after the bell. If the 
bell rings at the beginning of a draw, the hands must be shown without 
betting. 

The method of progression is this: The winner of the jack-pot retains 
his seat, the other four cutting the cards; the two cutting the lowest 
cards go to the booby table, and the two players at the other tables who 
won the last two pots progress upward to the next higher table. If one 
player has won both the last pots, the three remaining players cut and 
tlie highest goes to the next table. 

At the end of the game each player will count his chips and inform 
the banker of the number. The women who have won the highest and 
the next highest number of chips must receive the first and second 
prizes for women; the same rule holding with regard to the men. Booby 
prizes go to the man and the woman who lost the greatest number of 
chips. 

During the game, if a player lose all his chips, he can borrow from 
the banker, who, when the game is ended, charges these chips against 
the borrower. If the banker runs short he can borrow from any 
player, crediting that player with the number of chips borrowed. 



CRIBBAQK. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE GAME. 

T -IE game of Cribbage may be played in several ways, viz., by two, 
•hree, or four persons — five or six cards being dealt to each. It will be 
convenient first to describe the game as played by two persons {two-^ 
/landed Cribbage)^ with five cards dealt to each {Jive-card Cribbage), 

A pack of fifty-two cards is required, and a board with holes for scor- 
ing (called a Cribbage board). 

















• GAME HOLE. 
















The board is placed lengthwise between the two players, with the game 
hole nearest to the edge of the table. 
FoMx pegs (of which each player takes two) are used in scoring. 



DEALING. 

The players having cut for deal (see Laws), the pack is shuffled, and 
the non-dealer cuts it. The dealer reunites the packets and gives five 
cards to each player, by one at a time, commencing with his adversary. 
The undealt portion of the pack is placed face downward, between the 
j^me hole end of the board and the edge of the table. 

(i6o) 



CR IBB AGE, 



THREE FOR LAST. 



I6l 



The non-dealer is entitled to mark three holes, called three for last. 
Three for last is only scored once during a game, viz., by the player who 
is non-dealer at its commencement. He generally marks it while his 
adversary is dealing. (This rule is universal in the United States, but is 
not so in England. — Editor.) 

LAYING OUT FOR CRIB. 

The deal being completed, the players proceed to look at their hands 
and to lay out for crib. Each has to put out two cards. The players, 
having decided which two cards they deem it expedient to discard, place 
the discarded cards face downward on the table, by the side of the board 
nearest to the dealer. The two cards last put out are placed on the top 
of the two first put out. The four cards laid out are called the crib, 

CUTTING FOR THE START. 

After the crib is laid out, the non-dealer cuts the pack and the dealer 
turns up the top card of the packet left by his adversary. The card 
turned up is called the start. If the start is a knave the dealer marks 
two (called two for his heels). 

PLAYING. 

The hands are now played in the following manner : The non-dealer 
plays any card from his hand he thinks fit, placing it face upward on 
the table by the side of the board nearest to himself, and calls out the 
number at which it is valued. The king, queen, knave, and ten (called 
tenth cards) are valued at ten each, the other cards at the number of 
pips on them. The dealer then plays any card he thinks fit, placing it 
face upward by his side of the board, and calls out the value of his card 
added to the value of the card first played. The non-dealer next plays 
another card, and then the dealer, and so on, as long as any cards remain 
in hand, or until a card cannot be played without passing the number 
thirty-one. When it happens that a player cannot play without passing 
thirtyrone, he says **go." His adversary then, if he has a card which 
will ccme in^ z.^., which can be played without passing thirty-one, is 
entitled to play it. When there is a go, or when thirty-one is reached, 
the remainder of the cards in hand (if any) are not played. 

During: the play of the hand the players are entitled to score for certain 



1 62 CRIB BAGS. 

combinations of cards as follows : pairs, fifteen, sequences, and the go or 
thirty-one. 

Pairs. — If when a card is played the next card played pairs it (for in- 
stance, if a four is played to a four), the player pairing is entitled to mark 
two points. If the card next played is also of the same denomination, a 
paz'r royal is made, which entitles the player making it to mark six 
points ; and if the card next played is again of the same kind, it consti- 
tutes a double pair royal^ which entitles the player to a score of twelve 
points, in addition to the pair already scored by him. Tenth cards onlj 
pair with tenth cards of the same denomination. Thus : kings pair with 
kings, queens with queens, and so on ; but kings do not pair with queens, 
knaves, or tens, although they are all tenth cards. 

Fifteen. — If during the play of the hand a player reaches exactly 
fifteen, by reckoning the pips of all the played cards, he is entitled to 
mark two points. Thus — a nine is first led ; the second player plays a 
six ; he calls fifteen and marks two. 

Sequences." -The sequence of the cards is king, queen, knave, ten, 
nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, ace. The ace is not in 
sequence with the king and queen. The king, queen, knave, and ten, 
though they each count ten toward thirty-one in play, reckon in sequences 
in the above order. Thus : knave, ten, nine are in sequence. If any 
three cards are played in such a way that they can be reckoned in se- 
quence order, either from above downward, or below upward, without the 
intervention of another played card out of sequence order, the player of 
the third card is entitled to mark three (called a run of three). If a 
fourth card is similarly played, the player of it is entitled to a run of four ; 
if a fifth card is similarly played, a run of five accrues ; and so on. If 
there is a break in the sequence, and in the subsequent play the break is 
filled up, without the intervention of a card out of sequence order, the 
player completing the sequence is entitled to a score of one for each card 
of it. 

For example : A plays a four ; B plays a three ; if A follows with a 
deuce or a five, he is entitled to a run of three. Suppose A plays a deuce ; 
if B now plays an ace or a five, he gains a run of four, or, if he plays a 
four, he gains a run of three ; and so on, as long as either player plays a 
card that will come in. 

It is not necessary that the cards forming a sequence should be played 
in order. Thus : A plays a four ; B a deuce ; A a five. B can then 
come in with a three, and make a run of two, three, four, five. After 
the three is played, A can come in with an ace or a six, making a run of 
five, or with a four, making a run of four. But if any card not in 



CRIB B AGE. 163 

sequence intervenes, the run is stopped. Thus : If four, deuce, five, and 
five are played in this order, a three or a six will not come in, as the sec- 
ond five, which intervenes, forms no part of the run. 

Again : Suppose the cards played in this order : four, two, three, one, 
five, two, four, one, as they might be at the six-card, or at the four-handed 
game. The third card entitles the run of three ; the fourth to a run of four ; 
the fifth to a run of five. The sixth card, the deuce, has no run, as the 
second card (another deuce) intervenos, and the four is wanting to com- 
plete the sequence. The seventh card takes a run of five ; and the last 
card has no run, as the ace previously played blocks the three. 

Again : Suppose the cards played in this* order : one, five, six, three, 
two, four. There is no run until the four is p.'ayed. The four completes 
the sequence, and entitles to a run of six. 

The Go. — The player who approaches most nearly to thirty-one dur- 
ing the play of the hand is entitled to mark one, for the last card^ go^ or 
end hole. If a player reaches thirty-one exactly, he marks two instead 
of one. 

For instance : Two tenth cards and a four are played, making twenty, 
four. If the next player has no card in hand under an e^ght, he cannoL 
come in, and his adversary marfcs a go. If, however, the adversary ha% 
a seven, he may play that and score two for thirty-one, insteari of one fo» 
the go ; or, if he nas a four he may play it, when he marks two for th^ 
pair, and, if his adversary has no card that wiU come in (/. ^., no can* 
under a four remaining in his hand), the last player also marks one fox 
the go. 

Compound Scores. — It not unfrequently happens that more than one 
score can be reckoned at the same time. Thus, in the case last given, a 
pair and a go are scored together. So also a pair and a thirty-one, or a 
pair and a fifteen, may be reckoned together— scoring four ; or a sequence 
and a fifteen {e, g.^ four, five, wx are played), scoring five ; and so on 
with other combinations. 

SHOWING. 

As soon as a go or thirty-one is reached, the players show their hands, 
and reckon aloud for certain combinations of cards in them. The non- 
dealer has the first show. He places his hand face upward on the 
table, and reckons and marks the points in it, making use of the start as 
though it were a part of his hand, but without mixing it with his cards. 

The dealer then shows his hand, and similarly reckons it aloud, and 
marks the points in it and the start combined. He then shows the ^ib, 
and reckons aloud, and marks the points made with it and the start. 



l64 



CRIB B AGE, 



The points counted in hand or crib may be made by fifteens, by pairs 
or pairs royal, by sequences, by flushes, or by his nob. 

Fifteens in hand or crib are counted by adding together all the differ- 
ent cards (including the start\ the pips of which will make exactly fif- 
teen, without counting the same set of cards twice over. In reckoning 
fifteens, tenth cards are valued at ten each. Each separate fifteen that 
can be made with a different combination reckons two. For example : 
A player holding, either with or without the start, a tenth card and a five, 
reckons two, or, as it is called, fifteen-two. If he has another five, he 
combines this also with the tenth card and reckons two more, ox fifteen- 
four ; or, if his other cards were a four and an ace, he would similarly 
reckon another fifteen. 

Suppose a player holds two tenth cards with a five, and a five is turned 
up, he reckons fifteen-eight, the combinations being as follows : 



lo of clubs 
5 of clubs 



lo of spades 
5 of spades 



lo of clubs 
5 of spades 



lo of spades 
5 of clubs 



Again : A nine and three threes give three different combinations of 
fifteen, each of which reckons two. Thus : 



9 of spades 
3 of hearts 
3 of clubs 



9 of spades 
3 of hearts 
3 of diamonds 



9 of spades 
3 of clubs 
3 of diamonds 



ind so on for other cards. 

Pairs are reckoned on the same principle as when playing the hand. 
In the example last but one the total score would be twelve, viz. : eight 
for the fifteens, and four for the two pairs ; in the last example, six for 
the pair royal would have to be added to the six for the fifteens. 

To take a less easy example, a hand consisting of four fives would score 
twenty (twelve for the double pair royal and eight for the fifteens), as 
under : 



5 of spades 
5 of hearts 
5 of clubs 



5 of spades 
5 of hearts 
5 of diamonds 



5 of spades 

5 of clubs 

5 of diamonds 



5 of hearts 
5 of clubs 
5 of diamonds 



It will be observed that these are all the fifteens which can be made with- 
out reckoning the same set of three cards together more than once. 

Sequences of three or more cards are counted as in the play of the 
hand, but with this addition, that, if one card of a sequence can be sub- 
stituted for another of the saine kind, the sequence is reckoned agaia 



CRIB B AGE. 



I6S 



Thus a seven, eight, aiid two nines give two sequences of seven, eight, 
nine, by substituting one nine for the other, in addition to the fifteen and 
the pair, making the total ten. 

Suppose the crib to consist of two tens, two nines, and an eight. Here 
are four sequences of three cards each, viz. : 



10 of clubs 
9 of hearts 
8 of spades 



lo of clubs 
9 of spades 
8 of spades 



lo of diamonds 
9 of hearts 
8 of spades 



lo of diamonds 
9 of spades 
8 of spades 



These count twelve in addition to the two pairs, which make the total 
sixteen. 

To take a more difficult example — the crib contains six, seven, seven, 
eight, eight. This hand is counted thus : four fifteens (eight), two pairs 
(four), four sequences of three each (twelve), in all twenty-four. 

A Flush is reckoned by a player whose entire hand consists of cards 
of the same suit. The flush counts three ; if the start is of the same 
suit as the hand, the flush counts four. For example : a player has three, 
four, five, of the same suit, and a six is turned up. The hand counts 
fifteen-two, four for sequence, six, and three for the flush, nine. If fne 
start is also of the same suit, the hand reckons ten. No flush can be 
counted in crib, unless the start is of the same suit as the crib, when 
the flush reckons five. 

His Nob. — If a player holds in hand or crib the knave of the suit 
lumed up, he counts one for his nob. 

When the hands and crib are reckoned, the deal is at an end. The 
iards are put together and shuffled, and a fresh deal commences. The 
player who was the non-dealer in the first hand now deals ; and so on 
alternately, xinti]i the game is won. 

SCORING. 

The points made during the hand accrue in the following order : two 
for his heels, points in the play of the hand to the player gaining them 
as they are made, the non-dealer's show, the dealer's show, and the crib 
show. 

The game is sixty-one up. Each player marks the points to which he 
is entitled as soon as they accrue, by placing a peg in the hole on the 
board, corresponding to the number to which he is entitled. For the first 
score on each side, only one peg is used ; for the second score, the second 
peg (called the foremost peg) is placed in front of the first. At the next 
score the hindmost peg is moved in front of the other, and becomes in 
its turn the foremost peg. By marking in this way, the adversary is 



J 65 CRIB B AGE. 

enabled to check each score, as the number of holes between each peg 
shows whether the score is correctly marked. 

The players first mark up the boards commencing from the game hole 
end, each using the row of holes nearest the edge of the board, and 
nearest to himself. When a player arrives at the top, he proceeds to mark 
down the board, on the inner row of holes on his side of the board. 
The player who first scores sixty-one wins the game. When the game is 
won, the winner places his foremost peg in the game hole. 

If a player wins the game before his adversary has scored thirty-one 
points, he wins a double (but see Law 37). 

SIX-CARD CRIBBAGE. 

Cribbage is sometimes played by dealing six cards to each player in- 
stead of five. At this game the non-dealer does not take three for last. 
Also, in playing, the hands are not abandoned as soon as a go or thirty- 
one is obtained. When a go is called, if the adversary has a card or 
cards that will come in he must play them. When no more cards can 
be played without passing thirty-one, the cards played in the first series 
up to the go are turned face down, and a fresh series is commenced by a 
lead from the opponent of the player who scored the first go or thirty- 
one. If only one card is left after a go, the player holding it plays it, 
and marks one for the last card. If he has two left, he plays both, and 
also marks any points (as a pair or fifteen) they may make. In all other 
respects the game is played in the same way as five-card Cribbage. 

THREE-HANDED CRIBBAGE. 

Cribbage is occasionally played by three persons. Five cards are dealt 
to each ; one card is laid out from each hand, and one from the top of 
the pack to complete the crib. The deal proceeds to the left of the last 
dealer. Each player marks for himself. Sometimes a triangular board 
is useda 

FOUR-HANDED CRIBBAGE. 

At Four-handed Cribbage two of the players are partners against the 
other two. The partners, who sit opposite each other, are determined 
as at Whist, and the lowest has the first deal. One player scores for 
himself and his partner. Five cards are dealt to each player, and eac> 
puts out one for crib. The deal proceeds in rotation to the left. In pla^ 
ing the hands, the player to the dealer's left leads first, and each playe^ 
plays a card in rotation to the left. When a go is called, the next playei 



CRIBBAGE. 167, 

in rotation must play if he can come in ; if not, he also says " Go," and 
so on until no one can come in without passing thirty-one, when it is a 
go all rounds and the go, or thirty-one, is scored by the side who were 
last able to come in. If only one player can come in, he must go on 
playing alone as long as he has cards that can be played without passing 
thirty-one ; and, similarly, if two partners only can come in, they must 
go on playing alternately. After the first go, or thirty-one, the hand is 
continued as at six-card Cribbage, the player to the left of the one who 
last came in leading to the next series. 

In reckoning the hands, the player to the dealer's left has the first show, 
the dealer's partner the next, and the dealer the last. 

Rubbers (best two games out of three) are sometimes played ; but a 
better plan is to play single games twice round the board, the game being 
one hundred and twenty-one up. 

A player may assist his partner in counting his hand and crib, and may 
correct the score if his partner marks too few points. 

HINTS. 

1. In laying out for crib, it is necessary to bear in mind whether it is 
your deal or your adversary's. When you are the dealer, you should lay 
out cards that are likely to score in crib ; when you are not the dealer, 
you should do precisely the reverse. At five-card Cribbage it is, as a rule, 
more important to lay out bad cards for the adversary's crib (called balk- 
ing the crib)^ than to keep the cards in hand which will give you the 
greatest score ; for the crib and start together consist of five cards, the 
hand and start of only four cards. The largest number, with but very 
few exceptions, that can be made out of four cards is twelve ; but, with 
five cards, there are hundreds of hands that score from twelve to twenty- 
nine. Hence it is advisable to put out for the opponent's crib the most 
unlikely scoring cards. Moreover, if your adversary is a good player, he 
will for the most part prefer the interest of his crib to that of his hand. 
Hence he will put out cards that are likely to make long scores in combi- 
nation with three others ; and this is an additional reason for balking 
his crib. 

2. The least likely card to reckon in crib is a king, as that card can 
only score in sequence one way. For a similar reason, an ace is a good 
balk. The best balking cards for the opponent's crib are king, with 
ten, nine, eight, seven, six, or ace (king, nine being the best) ; or queen, 
with any of these except the ten. If unable to lay out any such combi- 
nation, discard cards that are not in sequence nor near together. Wide 



J 58 CRIBBAGE. 

even cards are good balks, even cards being less likely to give a score 
than odd ones, or than one even and one odd one. If you have the 
choice between two cards of the same suit, or of different suits, prefet 
the latter, so as not to give a chance of a flush in crib. 

3. The best cards to put out for your own crib (and, therefore, the ones 
to be avoided for your adversary's) are fives, five and six, five and a tenth 
card, three and two, seven and eight, four and one, nine and six, or pairs, 
particularly low pairs. If unable to lay out any of these, discard as close 
cards as possible. It is generally good play to retain a sequence in hand, 
as, if any one of the cards held is turned up, it gives you eight in hand 
at least. Pairs royal are also good cards to keep. The rule to keep these 
and sequences in your hand also applies when discarding for the adver- 
sary's crib, unless the two other cards are in the list just mentioned. For 
example : with queen, knave, ten, four, ace, you should put out the four 
and ace for your own crib ; but for your adversary's the queen and ten, 
keeping a fifteen and sacrificing the sequence. The queen and ten are 
chosen because they are the widest apart ; also, retaining the knave gives 
a chance of his nob. 

4. The lay-out is affected by the state of the sfce»re. Toward the end 
of a game, if you have cards that in all probability will take you out, the 
consideration of balking the opponent's crib is of but little consequence. 

5. In playing the cards, the card first chosen should be the one that 
presents the least chance of an adverse score. Aces, twos, threes, or 
fours are the best cards to lead, as no fifteen can be made from them, 
and the only chance of a score is by pairing them. The pair, however, 
is very likely to be declined, as it is commonly the game to begin with a 
card of which you hold a duplicate (except with two fives), so that you 
may make a pair royal if paired. Also, if an ace, two, three, or four is 
led, the second player must play a card which makes less than fifteen, 
when you have the chance of fifteen, especially if witn ace and four, or 
two and three, you have led one, as the play of any tenth card (of which 
there are sixteen in the pack) will then enable you to make fifteen. Also, 
with nine and three, or four and seven, if the three or the four is led and 
paired, the nine or seven makes fifteen. And further, if the second hand 
plays a tenth card to the low one first led, you have a chance of a safe 
pair^ i. ^., of pairing with so high a card that a pair royal cannot be 
made without taking the adversary beyond thirty-one. 

6. When leading from a sequence, the highest or lowest is to be chosen 
in preference to the middle card. 

7. If the adversary plays a close card to the one led, it is frequently be- 
cause he desires you to make a run of three, he lying with a fourth card 



ji I 



CRIB B AGE. 1(5^ 

that will come in. Whether you should accept the run, or decline it by 
playing wide, depends on the state of the game. (See Hint lo.) 

8. If the adversary plays a card which you can pair, or make fifteen of, 
choose the latter. At the same time you must not forget if a seven or 
eight is led, and you make fifteen, that you give the opponent a chance of 
coming in with a six or a nine. 

9. Avoid making eleven with a four, as, if the four is paired, the ad- 
versary gains four holes. The rule applies to all similar combinations, 
e, g.<t twelve made with a three, twenty-seven made with a four, or twenty- 
eight with a three. Avoid making the number twenty-one in play, as 
then a tenth card comes in for two. 

10. When playing the cards, the state of the score should constantly 
be considered. When you are ahead in the game, or have your average, 
you should endeavor to keep the advantage by playing wide cards, by re- 
fusing pairs, or by declining to make fifteen with close cards. Playing in 
this way is called playing off. On the other hand, if you are behind in 
the game, you should run risks to get on, as by pairing (chancing a pair 
royal), by making fifteen with close cards, or, by playing close cards, 
when, if your adversary makes a small run, you have a card that will 
come in and give you a larger one. Playing in this way is called //<;?y- 
ing on. 

11. In order to know whether you should play or play off, you must 
keep in mind that the average points in the play of the hand are two for 
the dealer, and one and a half for the non-dealer ; that the average 
points in hand are more than four and less than five ; and that the aver- 
age points in crib are five. Each player ought, therefore, to make six in 
hand and play throughout the game, and seventeen and a half in two 
deals. If the players score this average, they are said to be at home. If 
you score the average or more, and leave your adversary about seven 
holes in arrear, you are said to be safe at home. When you are at home 
you should play off ; when your adversary is safe at home you should 
play on. 

12. When you are safe at home, the rule respecting sequences (see 
Hint 3) does not always apply, especially with sequences containing seven 
and eight. It is then frequently the game to hold a wide card, to enable 
you to play off. Again : when near the end of the game, and you want 
to make points in play, in order to play out, you should endeavor to hold 
two low cards and one high one. 

13. With skilful players it is considered very important to play for the 
end hole, or go, which makes a difference of two to the score. To this 
end it is best, as a general rul«, with two low cards and a high one, to 



170 CRIB B AGE. 

eommence with a low card ; with two high cards and a low one, to begin 
with a high one. The dealer's chance of making the end tiole is greater 
than that of the non-dealer. 

14. In reckoning the hand and crib, it will assist the novice to keep to 
a regular order. He should first search his cards for fifteens, then for 
pairs, then for sequences, then for a flush, and, lastly, for his nob. 

15. At six-card Cribbage there is not so strong a reason for balking 
the crib as at five-card Cribbage. The average scores are larger at the 
six-card game. The non-dealer is at home at the end of the first hand 
if he scores twelve, the dealer if he scores seventeen. At the end of the 
second deal each player is at home at twenty -nine holes. In the first deal 
it is a considerable advantage to either player to exceed his average, and, 
consequently, both should play on ; but, when a player sees he cannot get 
home in the first deal, he should commence by playing off. Also, with 
only high cards in hand, it is advisable to keep two cards that will score 
in play {e. g.^ a seven and an eight), so that if your adversary is obliged 
to play a card more than you, you come in for a score at the end of 
the hand. 



LAWS OF CRIBBAGE. 

SHUFFLING. 

1. Each player has a right to shuffle. The dealer has the right of shuf- 
fling last. 

CUTTING. 

2. A cut must consist of at least four cards. In cutting for deal, the 
player cutting first must not cut more than half the pack. 

3. The player who cuts the lower cribbage card deals. The ace is low- 
est. The other cards rank in sequence order, the king being highest, 

4. The cut for deal holds good even if the pack is incorrect. 

5. If, in cutting for deal, a player exposes more than one card, his 
adversary may treat whichever of the exposed cards he pleases as the 
one cut. 

6. If in cutting to the dealer a card is exposed, or if in reuniting the 
separated packets a card is exposed, or there is any confusion of the 
cards, there must be a fresh cut. 

7. There must be a fresh cut for deal after each game, unless rubbers 
are played. 



CRIB BAGS, 17^ 



DEALING. 

8. The players deal alternately throughout the game, 

9. The dealer must deal the cards by one at a time to each player, 
commencing with his adversary. If he deals two together, he may rec- 
tify the error provided he can do so by moving one card only ; otherwise 
there must be a fresh deal, and the non-dealer marks two holes. 

10. If the dealer exposes any of his own cards, there is no penalty. If 
he exposes one of his adversary's, the adversary marks two holes, and has 
the option of a fresh deal, prior to looking at his hand. If a card is 
exposed through the non-dealer's fault, the dealer marks two, and has 
the option of dealing again. 

11. If it is discovered while dealing that there is a faced card in the 
pack, there must be a fresh deal. 

12. If the dealer gives his adversary too many cards, the non-dealer 
marks two holes, and has the option, after looking at his hand, of a fresh 
deal, or of returning the surplus cards to the top of the pack without 
showing them to the dealer, and of standing the deal. 

13. If the dealer gives himself too many cards, his adversary marks 
two holes, and has the option, after looking at his hand, of a fresh deal, 
or of standing the deal. If he stands the deal, he has the right of draw- 
ing the surplus cards from the dealer's hand, and of looking at them. 

14. If the dealer gives his adversary or himself too few cards, the non- 
dealer marks two holes, and has the option, after looking at his hand, of 
a fresh deal, or of allowing the imperfect hand to be completed from the 
top of the pack. 

15. If a player deals out of turn, and the error is discovered before the 
start is turned up, the deal in error is void, and the right dealer deals. 
After the start is turned up it is too late to rectify the error. 

LAYING OUT. 

16. If either player lays out when he holds too many cards, the adver- 
sary marks two holes, and has the option of a fresh deal, or of standing 
the deal. If he stands the deal, he has the right of drawing the surplus 
cards from the offender's hand, and of looking at them. 

17. If either player lays out with too few cards in hand, he must pla^ 
out the hand with less than the right number of cards. 

18. The dealer may insist on his adversary's laying out first. 

19. If a player takes back into his hand a card he has laid out, his ad* 
versary marks two holes, and has the option of a fresh deal. 

20. The crib must not be touched during the play of the hand. 



172 CRIBBAGE. 



THE START. 

«i. In cutting for the start, the non-dealer must cut at least four cards, 
and must leave at least four in the lower packet. 

22. If the dealer turns up more than one card, the non-dealer may 
choose which of the exposed cards shall be the start. 

23. If a knave is turned up, and the dealer plays his first card without 
scoring his heels, he forfeits the score. 

PLAYING. 

24. If a player plays with too many cards in hand, his adversary marks 
two holes, and has the option of a fresh deal. If he elects to stand the 
deal, he has the right of drawing the surplus cards from the offender's 
hand and of looking at them, and the option of playing the hand ag^n 
or not. 

25. If a player plays with too few cards there is no penalty. 

26. If a card that will come in is played, it cannot be taken up again. 
If a card that will not come in is played, no penalty attaches to the ex- 
posure. 

27. If two cards are played together, the card counted is deemed to be 
the one played, and the other must be taken back into the player's hand. 

28. If a player neglects to play when he has a card that will come in, 
his opponent may require it to be played, or may mark two holes. (This 
rule does not apply to the player who has the go at two-handed five- 
card Cribbage.) 

29. There is no penalty for miscounting during the play. 

SHOWING AND SCORING. 

30. When reckoning a hand or crib, the cards must be plainly shown, 
and must remain exposed until the opponent is satisfied as to the nature 
of the claim. 

31. If a player mixes his hand or crib with each other, or with the pack, 
before his claim is properly made (see Law 30), he forfeits any score the 
hand or crib may contain. 

32. If a player scores more points than he is entitled to, the adversary 
may correct the score and add the same number to his own score. This 
law applies even if a player, in consequence of overscoring, places his 
foremost peg in the game hole. 

33. There is no penalty for scoring too few points. A player is not 
bound to assist his adversary in making out his score. 



CF IBB AGE. jy^ 

34. When a peg: is quitted the score cannot be altered, except as pro- 
vided in Law 32. 

35. If a player touches his opponent's pegs (except to put back an over- 
score), or, if he touches his own pegs, except when he has a score to 
make, his adversary marks two holes. 

36. If a player displaces his foremost peg, he must put it behind the 
other. If he displaces both his pegs, his adversary is entitled to place 
the hindmost peg where he believes it to have been, and the other peg 
must then be put behind it. 

37. A lurch (or double game) cannot be claimed, unless by previous 
agi'eement. 

38. The three for last may be scored at any time during the game, but 
itot after the oppoaent has scored sixty-ood. 



FIVE-CARD CRIBBAGE. 

This game is practically the same as the six-card game, with, how- 
ever, a few notable points of difference. Except for the case noted, all 
arrangements and rules of the six-card game remain in force. 

In dealing, the dealer gives to the players alternately, one by one, 
five cards;. each discards two for the dealer's crib, retaining three cards; 
the non-dealer at the beginning of the game can mark three holes as an 
offset to the advantage of the first deal. As soon as a "go," or thirty- 
one, is reached the remaining cards are not played. 

This game is considered more scientific than the six-card game. 
Every point is of value, as the chances for marking are so much less. 
The best players therefore make it a point to play for the **go," which 
makes or loses a point. 

At this game the rule is to lay out bad cards for the adversary's crib 
— called balking the crib. This is done because the crib and the start 
consist of five cards, while the hand and start is of four cards only. 
With very few exceptions the largest number that can be made out of 
four cards is twelve; but with five cards there are many hands that 
score from twelve to twenty-nine. This makes it advisable to place in 
your opponent's crih the most unlikely scoring cards. 



EXJCH RE. 



The game of Euchre is played with a pack of thirty-two cards ; the 
twos, threes, fours, fives, and sixes being thrown out from a complete 
pack. 

Two or four players make the best game. When four are engaged, 
the game is almost always played with partners. 

DEALING. 

The players cut for deal. 

The pack is then cut for the dealer : if two play, by his opponent ; if 
more than two play, by the adversary to his right. The dealer reunites 
the packets and delivers five cards to each player by three at a time, and 
then by two at a time, or mce versa. Some players make it compulsory 
to deal three first, and then two ; others deal two first to the opponent, 
then three to themselves, then three to the opponent, and lastly two. 
Whichever mode is adopted, when each player has five cards the dealer 
turns up the top card for trumps, and places it face upward on the top of 
the stack. 

ORDER OF THE CARDS. 

The cards in suits not trumps rank as at Whist, the ace being the high- 
est, and the seven the lowest. But in the trump suit, the knave of the 
suit turned up (called the rzg/t^ Bower) is the highest trump, and the 
other knave of the same color (black or red, as the case may be, called 
the left Bower) is the next highest. For instance, a heart is turned up, 
the knave of hearts is the best trump, then the knave of diamonds, then 
the ace of hearts, then the king, queen, ten, down to the seven. The 
order of the cards in the diamond suit, when hearts are trumps, is ace, 
king, queen, ten, down to the seven ; the knave being the left Bower, 
belongs to the trump suit. 

(174) 



EUCHRE, 



ORDERING UP, TAKING UP, AND PASSING. 

The mode of procedure after the deal depends on whether the game is 
played with partners or not. 

When two play, the non-dealer examines his hand, and decides wheth- 
er he will play it or not. If he is satisfied with his cards, that is, if he 
thinks he can win three tricks, he says, " Order it up." The dealer then 
puts a card out of his hand, face downward, under the pack, and the 
play of the hand commences. 

The trump card when ordered up belongs to the dealer's hand, in 
place of the discarded card ; but he generally does not take it up until it 
is his turn to play. It is found in practice convenient thus to leave the 
card on the pack, so as to avoid the necessity of asking what are trumps. 

If the non-dealer is not satisfied with his cards, he says, '* Pass," The 
dealer then has the option of taking up the turn-up (in place of a dis- 
carded card as before), or of passing in his turn. If the dealer takes up 
the trump, the play of the hand commences ; if he passes, he signifies his 
determination by placing the trump card face upward under the pack, 
called turning it down. Some players turn the trump card down on the 
top of the pack ; but the first-mentioned way is preferable, as there can 
be no dispute as to the suit first turned. 

If both pass, the non-dealer then has the option of naming any suit 
(except the one turned up) for trumps, or of passing again. He signifies 
his intention by saying, '' Make it spades," or any suit he prefers, or by 
saying, '* Pass again." If he passes again, the dealer has the option of 
making the trump suit or of passing a second time. If either player 
makes it, the play of the hand commences ; if both pass a second time, the 
hand is thrown up, and the opponent deals. 

When the trump is made of the same color as the turn-up {i. e. , red, if 
the turn-up is red, or black if it is black) it is called making it next^ or next 
in suit. If the trump is made of a different color from the turn-up, it is 
called crossing the suit, 

PLAYING. 

If the hand is played the non-dealer leads a card. The dealer plays to 
it, the two cards thus played constituting a trick. The second player 
must follow suit if he is able ; he is not bound to win the trick (unless it 
so happens that he cannot follow suit without), and if not able to follow 
suit he may play any card he pleases. 

It must not be forgotten that the left Bower belongs to the trump suit, 
and if led a trump must be played to it. Thus, if hearts are trumps, and 



176 EUCHRE, 

the knave of diamonds is led, the second player must follow suit with a 
heart if able. 

The highest card of the suit led wins the trick ; trumps win other suits. 
The winner of the trick leads. 

The object of the play is to win three tricks or five. 

At two-handed Euchre some players turn over the tricks, others do not. 
When more than two play, each trick should be turned before he winn'" 
leads to the next. 

THREE-HANDED EUCHRE. 

When three play, the option of playing or passing goes to each in turn 
commencing with the player to the dealer's left. Three cards, one from 
each hand, constitute a trick. The player who orders up or takes up the 
trump, or who makes the trump, has to play single-handed against the 
other two. 

If the hand is played, the player to the dealer's left (eldest hand) has 
the first lead, and the dealer plays last to that trick. The eldest hand 
deals next. 

Three-handed Euchre is sometimes called *' cut-throat Euchre," be' 
cause not only do two players conspire against the third, but at many 
pointfi of the score one of the allies conspires against his quasi partner. 

FOUR-HANDED EUCHRE. 

At four-haiided Euchre the partners sit opposite each other, as at 
Whist. If the first hand passes, the second may say, " I assist," which 
means that the dealer (his partner) is to take up the trump. The hand 
is then played, the player to the dealer's left (eldest hand) having the first 
lead, and each playing a card in turn, the lotation going to the left. 
Four cards constitute a trick. The eldest hand has the next deal. 

If a player has a very strong hand he rsidcy play alone ^ i. e.^ he may 
play single-handed against the two adversaries. When a player announces 
that he will play alone, his partner cannot object, but must place his 
cards, however good they may be, face downward on the table, and leave 
himself in the hands of his partner. A player can play alone when he 
or his partner orders up ; or when his partner assists ; or, in the case of 
the dealer, when he takes up the trump. A player may also play alone 
when he makes the trump, but not when the adversary orders up, or 
assists, or makes the trump. 

The player to the dealer's left has the first lead, and each plays a card 
in turn, as at Whist. In other respects the game is the same as the two- 
handed. 



J 



EUCHRE, 177 



SCORING. 

The game is five or ten points up. 

If the player (or side) ordering up, taking up, or making the trump 
wins all five tricks, he wins a triarchy and scores two. 

If he makes three tricks, he makes the pointy and scores one. Winning 
four tricks is no better than winning three. 

If he fails to make the three tricks he is euchred^ and the adversary 
scores two. 

The principle is that the attacking player undertakes, in effect, to 
make three tricks, and if he does not do what he undertakes he is pun- 
ished by the loss of two points. 

If a lone player wins all five tricks he scores four. If he wins three 
tricks he scores one. If he fails to win three tricks the adversaries score 
two. 

At three-handed Euchre, or at independent Euchre (played without 
partners), when more than two play, the mode of scoring varies. In 
some companies it is ruled that, if the attacking player is euchred, both 
the adversaries score two. If this makes them both out the eldest hand 
wins. 

But the better way of playing is to set back the player who is euchred. 
The score can be set back even beyond five, so that if a player is at love, 
and he is euchred, he has seven points to make. The player who first 
obtains five receives from each of the others as many points as he is short 
of five ; thus, if he is set back two points, and does not score at all during 
the game, he has to pay seven points. 

Laps. — It is sometimes agreed that one player, or side, shall carry any 
surplus they may make over into the next game. 

Lurch or *' Slams." — It is sometimes agreed that a player, or side, 
shall receive double if they win a love game. 



HINTS TO LEARNERS. 

The hands that should be played or passed differ according to the 
number of players. Thus, at two-handed Euchre, you may play on a 
lighter hand than at three-handed. The following Hints relate principally 
to the two-handed game, and to the four-handed game with partners. 



178 EUCHRE. 



ORDERING UP, PASSING, TAKING UP, AND MAKING 

THE TRUMP. 

1. The chances are that the dealer has one trump dealt ; so, if you 
©rder up, you must expect to meet one trump and the turn-up in the 
dealer's hand. And it must be remembered that you lose two points if 
you order up and do not win three tricks, and only gain one if you suc- 
ceed (unless you make a march). Therefore you should not order up un- 
less it is two to one in favor of your winning three tricks against two 
trumps, and your cards are such that you would not have as good a 
chance if you made the trump. 

To order up at four-handed Euchre, the eldest hand should be some- 
what stronger than at two-handed. 

2. It follows from Hint i, that if strong in trumps, and equally strong 
in another suit, it is always good play for the eldest hand to pass. For 
if the dealer takes up the trump he may lose the point and be euchred ,* 
and if he passes you can then make the trump, and are better off than in 
the other case, as the dealer does not get the turn-up. 

3. If you pass, and the dealer turns it down, you may still consider 
that, whatever you make it, you will probably find one trump against 
you. It is, therefore, not advisable to make the trump unless you hold 
cards that will probably win three tricks against one trump higher than 
any in your own hand, or against two small ones. 

4. If you are about to make the trump, and have good cards in two 
suits of different colors, you should, as a rule, make it next. The reason 
is that the dealer having turned it down in one color, you are not likely 
to encounter either Bower of that color in his hand. The rule not to 
cross the suit, applies at the four-handed game to the non-dealer and his 
partner. But if the dealer's partner makes the trump, he should not 
hesitate to cross the suit, as he may assume, from the dealer's having 
turned it down, that he has no Bower in that color. 

5. With so strong a hand that you are almost sure of the point, 
whether you make the trump or not, of course you pass, in hopes that 
the dealer will take up the trump. For example : you have both Bowers 
and the ace of trumps ; you should pass. If the dealer takes up the 
trump you euchre him ; if he passes you make it next in suit, and win 
the point, unless the dealer has passed with three trumps (which would 
be bad play) and none of your ace suit. 

6. At four-handed Euchre the second player (dealer's partner) should 
assist if he has something more than one trick, as, for instance, an ace 



EUCHRE, 179 

and a trump, or two aces. The assisting* hand says, in fact, *• I am good 
for one trick, and have a chance of another." 

But if the dealer's partner is strong in the non-trump suits he should 
not assist unless morally certain of two tricks. 

7. The third hand should be cautious of ordering up, as his partner, 
having passed, has declared weakness. 

8. The dealer should be very cautious of taking up, as his partner, not 
having assisted, must be very weak (see Hint 6). The dealer ought not 
to take up as a rule, unless he has two tricks morally certain, and a 
chance of a third. 

9. If the dealer, either at two or four-handed Euchre, can reduce his 
hand by his discard to three trumps and two cards of another suit, he 
should take up the trump, unless all the five cards are very small. 

10. If the dealer takes up the trump, he should generally keep two 
cards of a suit, except his single one happens to be an ace. For example : 
with queen, seven of one suit, and king single of another, the king 
should be discarded. 

LEADING. 

11. Lead from your guarded suit. Thus, if you hold two trumps, a 
guarded card and a single card, lead your best card in the g^uarded suit 
But if in fear of losing a march lead your highest single card. 

12. If you have three trumps Tn sequence always lead a trump, unless 
the sequence is nine, eight, seven. At four-handed Euchre always lead 
a trump with three trumps of any denomination. 

13. At four-handed Euchre, if you have made the trump next in suit 
and have the lead, lead a trump, unless you hold the right Bower and 
ace, and weak cards out of trumps. 

14. As a general rule at four-handed Euchre, if the dealer's partnet 
assists, the eldest hand should at once lead a trump through him. The 
rule does not apply if the dealer has turned up a Bower, nor if the leader 
has the left Bower, or the ace of trumps guarded. 

15. If your partner orders up, or assists, or takes up, or makes the 
trump, invariably lead a trump as soon as you obtain the lead. If youi 
partner orders up or makes the trump, lead him your best trump ; if he 
takes up the right Bower lead your smallest trump. 

PLAYING AFTER THE FIRST LEAD. 

16. Head the trick second hand if you hold a card higher than the 
one led. 

17. If your partner orders up, or assists, or takes up, or makes the 



l8o EUCHRE. 

trump, and you hold trumps, trump with them whenever you can. If 
you have a single trump do not hesitate to trump with it, even if it is a 
Bower. 

i8. If your partner leads an ace do not trump it, but throw away a 
single card. Toward the end of a hand, if you infer that your partner 
has another trump, it would often be right to trump even a winning card 
led by him. 

19. At two-handed Euchre the following point not unfrequently occurs : 
The leader has the left Bower, ace, and a small trump, and two cards of 
another suit. He leads the left Bower. His adversary wins it and forces 
him. The leader now should not continue the trump ; for if the adver 
sary has one higher card in the leader's suit, and no niore trumps, the 
leader thus makes the pome and whatever other cards the adversary 
holds, it does not matter which card is led. 

20. If you have lost two tricks and won the third, and remain with one 
trump, lead the trump. For if your trump does Tiot win you cannot save 
the point. At four-handed Euchre, however, it you^ partner dealt, and 
he still retains the turn-up in his hand, it is better, as p. rule, to lead the 
oiUside card, on the chante of making the trumps separately. ^^ course, 
if your outside card is a winning card, and your trump is higher tnan th^ 
turn-up, you should lead the trump. 

21. If your partner has assisted and led a trump, and you remain with 
one trump and two other cards and the lead, your play must depend on 
the value of the outside cards. If they are pretty good lead the trump, but 
if small lead one of the outside cards. 

22. In discarding during the play of the hand, a player ought, as a 
rule, to keep a guarded card in preference to a single one, unless the 
single card is an ace : Thus, having knave, seven of hearts, and king of 
spades, if at the third trick a trump is led, the king of spades should be 
discarded. 

23. Inform your partner of your strength. Thus, if you discard from 
a suit of which you hold ace and king, throw the ace. This is most im- 
portant when the adversary has ordered up, or assisted, or taken up the 
trump, as it indicates to your partner that he need not keep that suit. 
Again : if you hold a trump next in value to the turn-up, play it, or 
trump with it, in preference to the card taken up. 

24. As a rule make tricks when able. Passing a trick or finessing is 
seldom permissible. For example : If a card (not an ace) is led, of which 
you (third player) hold none, and you have king and another trump, 
trump at once with the king. 

The second hand, however, should generally leave the chance of the 



EUCHRE. l8l 

first trick to his partner, if he holds the best trump, or two trumps, aad 
throw away a single card (except an ace). 

EFFECT OF THE SCORE. 

25. If the adversary is at three, the trump should not be ordered up, 
unless with very good cards, as, if the trump is ordered up, the loss of the 
point at this score loses the game. 

26. If the adversary is at the score of four, it is better for the dealer to 
take up the trump on a light hand, than to leave it to his adversary to 
make the trump. 

27. At four-handed Euchre, when the dealer's side is at the score of 
one or two, and you (eldest hand) are at four, you should order up, even 
if you have not a trick in your hand, or rather, unless you have one cer- 
tain trick, as the right Bower or the left Bower guarded. By so doing 
you prevent the opponent from playing alone. In the worst case you are 
euchred, and have the deal next time, the chances being greatly in favor 
of winning the point with the deal. This position is called the bridge. 

If at this score you (eldest hand) pass your partner may be sure that 
you hold one or more commanding trumps. If, therefore, the third hand 
has tolerable strength {e. g. , one trick and a chance of a second, see Hint 
6) he should order up, in expectation of making the point. 

If at this score the trump is not ordered up, the dealer should pass as a 
rule, as he may feel sure of meeting strength in trumps to his left. 

28. At four-all, if the eldest hand or the third hand has a trick, and 
the probability of a second (see Hint 6), and such cards that he would be 
no better off if he made the trump, he should order up ; for if the dealer 
turns down the trump, the second hand or the dealer will probably make 
the trump, and so win the game in another suit. 

LONE HANDS. 

29. In playing a lone hand the eldest hand has the advantage, and 
next to him the dealer. The players may, therefore, play alone on hands 
that should not be played alone by the other players. 

30. When leader, with a lone hand, lead your winning trumps. If 
you thus make two tricks and remain with one trump, lead your best 
card out of trumps, and if that wins, lead the remaining trump. 

31. When playing against a lone hand, always lead an ace, if you hare 
one ; if you have no ace, lead your highest card out of trumps, except you 
hold a guarded king and cards of other suits, in which case it :' advisaJDle 
to wait for your king to be led to (see also Hints 11 and 23). 



l82 EUCHRE. 

32. When pla3ang against a lone hand, keep cards of the suit yout 
partner discards, as you may be sure he is weak in them, and depend on 
your partner for strength in the suits he keeps ; but do not throw away 
an ace, even if your partner keeps your ace suit. 



LAWS OF EUCHRE. 

CUTTING. 

1. The lowest deals. In cutting, the ace is lowest. 

When playing partners the two highest play against the two lowest 

DEALING. 

2. The dealer must give five cards to each player by three at a time and 
two at a time, or vice versd^ and must turn up the top of the undealt 
cards for trumps. 

3. If the dealer gives too many or too few cards to any player it is a 
misdeal, and the deal passes to the next player. 

4. If the dealer exposes a card in dealing there must be a fresh deal ; 
but if the dealer in turning up the trump turns two cards it is a misdeal. 

5. If a faced card is found in the pack before turning up, there must be 
a fresh deal, unless the faced card is the turn-up. 

6. When more than two play, the players deal in rotation to the left 

PLAYING. 

7. If any one *Dlays with more or less than five cards he can score noth- 
ing that hand. 

If the trump is ordered up and the dealer omits to discard a card before 
he or his partner plays, he can score nothing that hand. 

8. When more than two play, exposed cards may be called. A card 
led out of turn may be called, or a suit from the side offending when 
they next have the lead. 

9. A player revoking is euchred. A player revoking against a lone 
hand is euchred four. 

10. A player not following suit when able may correct his mistake 
before the trick is turned and quitted, and before he or his partner leads 
or plays to the next trick. The card played in error is an exposed card. 

il. A player making a trump must abide by the suit first named. 



EUCHRE. 



183 



12. If after the trump is turned a player reminds hio partner vnat they 
are at the point of the bridge, the latter loses his right of ordering up, 

13. Each player has a right to see the last trick. 

DEFECTIVE PACKS. 

14. If a pack is found to be defective the deal is void ; but all previous 

deals stand good. 

SCORING. 

15. An erroneous score may be corrected at any time during the game. 



RAILROAD EUCHRE. 

Thirty-three cards are used, the Joker making the extra card. The 
Joker is the best trump and is higher than the leading Bower, no matter 
what is the trump. A player may have then an equivalent to three Bow- 
ers, the Joker and the two knaves of a color. 

In Railroad Euchre, a player going alone can call for the best card in 
his partner's hand, throwing out his own discard. When the player goes 
alone, one of his adversaries may agree to call for the best card in his 
partner's hand. It is a two-handed game, or four-handed game. In 
Railroad Euchre, a euchre counts four points. 

If in turning for trumps, the Joker turns up, the next card in the pack 
is made trumps. 

It is generally played in ten points. 

SET-BACK EUCHRE. 

In this game the points made diminish a certain score given to each 
player at the beginning of the game. 

Everybody plays for himself. 

At the beginning five points are allotted to each player. 

If a player makes three tricks he scores one, which is deducted from 
his five points, leaving him four points ; each player's object being to 
wipe out his score. 

To begin the game every player puts one or more chips into a pool, 
and the first one who has wiped out his score wins it. There are no 
partners. 

A player not making a trick, though he may not have declared any- 
thing, has one added to his score. A euchre counts two. Sometimes 



1 84 EUCHRE. 

when a euchre is made, the players deposit another chip in the pool. 
The rules for Set-back Euchre have not yet been clearly defined. 



NAPOLEON. 

Six players can play Napoleon, which is a development of Euchre. In 
cutting it is the person taking the lowest card who deals. It is a game of 
bidding. If a player thinks he has a good hand he states, " I can make 
so many tricks." The person bidding the highest number of tricks plays. 
He has in opposition to him the other players. The player who has the 
bid has the privilege of naming the trump. He may elect to name no 
trump, but it is understood that the first card he plays is the trump. 
Should a player declare Napoleon and succeed in taking all the tricks, 
he makes Napoleon, and is paid by all the others two chips for each trick, 
which is ten. Making tricks less than Napoleon is paid at the rate of one 
chip per trick. A player saying, " I will make two or three tricks," must 
make the number stated, or he loses. Losses are made according to 
tricks. Sometimes by a fall of the cards, a player having announced 
" three tricks " and makes them, believes he can make Napoleon. He 
may succeed in securing the two other tricks, five in all, but he is not 
paid ten chips, as he would have been had he declared Napoleon at the 
beginning. He receives only one chip for each trick. Should he, how- 
ever, after making his three tricks not make the Napoleon, he pays one 
chip for each trick, or five chips. He might, when he made the number 
of tricks he announced, have stopped there, and won his declare. 

Players must follow suit, but not having the suit, to trump is obli- 
gatory. 

FRENCH EUCHRE. 

In this game the eights and sevens are not used, there being twenty- 
four cards, and not more than four players ; these are partners. It re- 
sembles in many respects Napoleon. A player states that he wiU make 
so many tricks, making a particular suit trumps. If the other players' 
bid no more tricks, the eldest hand has the play. The assistance of the 
partners is as in Euchre. If, for instance, one partner were to announce 
three in hearts, and his partner had the Bowers, and other g^ood cards, 
the partner when his turn came to play might bid for the five tricks. Tht 
game being of fifteen points, tricks are counted as points. The euchre 
counts only as much as the number of tricks which were announced by 
the losing party. " 



EUCHRE. 185 



PROGRESSIVE EUCHRE. 

The game is the regular four-handed Euchre with five points up, and 
is so adapted as to enable any number of ladies and gentlemen to partici- 
pate. 

For example, say the number of players is twenty, consequently five 
tables are required. 

The guests on entering the room are each presented with a favor or 
decorated card by the hostess, which is to be attached to the lady's dress 
or gentleman's coat ; these designate the tables to which each player is 
assigned, viz., first lady first table, or first gentleman first table, etc. The 
iady and gentleman having corresponding cards, take position as partners. 

When all are seated, the leader, or one of the players at the first table, 
announces the commencement of the game by tap of bell. 

The first table having finished their game, the bell is tapped, when play 
must cease at all the tables. 

The successful partners at the first table retain their seats and attach a 
gold star or label to their favors, while the unsuccessful partners at the 
first table retire to the last or fifth table, taking the place of the victors at 
that table, where they do not remain partners, but exchange with those 
left at table five ; the losers at table five attach a green label or booby to 
their favors. 

The victors at the other tables then move up or progress one table, viz., 
fifth to fourth, etc. 

In case of a tie, when the leader taps the bell at any of the tables, the 
ladies cut the cards, the highest cut determines the victors, or in case the 
game is not completed, the side having the greatest number of points to 
their credit are the victors. 

As prizes are provided for the lady and gentleman receiving the highest 
number of honors, gold labels or stars, and also for the recipients of the 
greatest number of booby labels, it causes a pleasant rivalry between the 
players, which remains unabated to the close of the game. 

In case of a tie, the same rule applies as during the game. 

All other points in the game are decided according to the usual rules o< 
Euchre. 



86 EUCHRE. 



SIX-HANDED EUCHRE. 

As the name indicates, six persons, three on a side, play this game. 
The partners are seated alternately. Before the cards are dealt two of 
the sevens are removed. The cards are then distributed, each player 
getting eight cards. 

The players bid for trumps, and the bidding is conducted the same 
as in French E^uchre. The side that makes the trump and wins the 
number of tricks bid counts that number and no more, even should it win 
all the tricks. If it fail to make the number of tricks bid, the op- 
posing side counts that number of tricks. 

The score is generally twenty-five points, with which each side starts. 
As points are made they are deducted from the score, the side first 
wiping out the twenty-five winning. When a bid is successful the trump 
must be declared, but it is not obligatory to lead trumps. 

The joker is sometimes used when the remaining cards after the deal 
are thrown into the centre of the table, and is known as the "Widow." 
The player who makes the highest bid has the right to select the cards 
he wants from the Widow. He must declare the trump suit before he 
looks at the Widow. A bid to play alone supersedes a bid of five, and if 
successful it counts ten* 



I 



B:^Z I QUE. 



GUIDE TO BEZIQUE, BY CAVENDISH. 

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 

The game of Bezique is generally played by two persons. Two packs 
of Bezique cards are shuffled well together and used as one. It is better 
to have two packs with the same colored backs, or with the same device 
on the backs. Cards prepared for Bezique may be procured, or ordinary 
packs of cards may be used, the twos, threes, fours, fives, and sixes being 
thrown out. 

There are several ways of playing Bezique, differing, however, only in 
small details. The most usual way will first be described, and afterward 
the variations will be noticed. 

DEALING. 

The packs being shuffled together the players cut for deal (see Laws 1-5). 

The cards are then cut to the dealer. He reunites the packets and 
deals eight cards to each player. He delivers three to his adversary and 
then three to himself, then two to each, and lastly three to each. Some- 
times the cards are dealt three at a time, twice successively, and lastly two 
at a time. 

The seventeenth card, now the top of the pack, called the stocky is 
turned up for trumps. The trump card is placed lengthwise between the 
two players, a little to the right or left of them, and the stock is placed 
by the side of the trump card and slightly spread, so that cards can be 
easily taken from it during the play, as will be explained. 

PLAYING. 

The non-dealer now plays any card out of his hand. The dealer plays 
a card to it. He is not obliged to follow suit, nor to play a card that wins 
(187) 



i88 



bjEjzique. 



the tricfc. If, however, he wins the trick, or trumps it (which he may do^ 
although holding in his hand a card of the suit led), he kas to lead. 
Whoever wins the trick has the next lead ; but, before playing, each 
player draws one card from the stock, the winner of the trick drawing the 
top card, the other player the card next it ; by this means the number of 
the cards in each hand is restored to eight, as at first. This alternate 
playing a card and drawing a card continues till all the stock, including the 
trump card (generally exchanged for the seven), which is taken up last, is 
exhausted. The rules of play then alter in the manner presently to be 
described. 

In playing the cards, the highest card of the same suit wins the trickj 
the ace being highest, next the ten, and then the king, queen, knave, nine, 
eight, and seven. In the case of ties the leader wins. Trumps win other 
suits. 

The tricks are left face upward on the table till the end of the hand. 
They are of no value except for the aces and tens which they may contain. 

The objects of the play are to win aces and tens, and to promote in the 
hand various combinations of cards, which, when declared^ score a cer- 
tain number of points. 

The following table shows all the scores that can be made at Bezique : 



StZIQUE SCORES. 



4. 4. 



Seven of trumps (a club is shown, but, of course, any suit may be 
trumps according to the turn-up). 

If turned up, dealer marks 10. Player declaring or exchanging seven 
of trumps marks 10. 





King and queen of same suit not trumps (called marriage). 

King and queen of the trump suit (called marriage in trumps oi royas 
marriage). 

Player declaring marriage marks 20. Player declaring marriage in 
trumps marks 40. 



b:6zique. 



189 



IMl 



Queen of spades and knave of diamonds (called bezique). 

Queen of spades and knave of diamonds, declared twice in one deal hy 
the same player (called double bezique). 

Player declaring bezique marks 40. Player declaring double bezique 
marks 500 in addition to the 40 already scored. 

Note. — In order to entitle to double bezique, all four cards must be 
on the table at the same time and unplayed to a trick. If all four are 
declared together, only 500 can be scored, and not 540. 

When clubs or hearts are trumps, queen of spades and knave of dia- 
monds are bezique. When spades or diamonds are trumps, queen of 
clubs and knave of hearts are bezique. 



e 




s? 




* 








Four aces (the four suits are shown, but any four aces will do, whether 
duplicates or not). 
Player declaring four aces marks 100. 



9?] 






Four kings (any four will do, whether duplicates or not). 
Player declaring four kings marks 80. 







Four queens (any four will do, whether duplicates or not), 
player declaring four queens marks 6q, 



TQO 



bSzique. 




Four knaves (any four will do, whether duplicates or not). 
Player declaring four knaves marks 40. 






Sequence of five best trumps. Player declaring sequence marks 250, 
in addition to 40 previously scored for marriage in trumps. 

If sequence is declared without previous declaration of marriage, only 
250 can be scored, and not 290. 

Aces and Tens. — Aces and tens in tricks. Each player for each one 
adds to his score 10. 

The winner of a trick containing an ace or a ten at once adds 10 to his 
score ; if the trick consists of two aces or tens, or one of each, he adds 20. 

Last Trick. — The winner of the last trick marks 10. 

Note. — The last trick is the last before the stock is exhausted. 
That is, when two cards of the stock (viz. , the trump and another 
card) remain on the table, the player winning the trick is said to win 
the last trick, notwithstanding that there are still eight tricks to be 
played. 

DECLARING. 

A declaration can only be made immediately after winning a trick, and 
before drawing a card from the stock. The declaration is effected by 
placing the declared cards face upward on the table, where they remain. 
Though left on the table they still form part of the hand, and can be 
played to a trick just the same as if they had not been declared. Each 
score is marked at the time of declaring. 

Players are not bound to declare unless they like, although they may 
win a trick and hold scoring cards. 

A card cannot be played to a trick and be declared at the same time. 

It is optional to declare or exchange the seven of trumps after winning 
a trick with some other card. When declared the seven need not be 
shown unless asked for. When exchanged the seven is put in the place 
of the turn-up card, and the turn-up is taken into the player's hand. The 



bEzique. igr 

card taken in exchange for the seven cannot be declared until the playef 
exchanging has won another trick. 

Any number of combinations may be declared to one trick, provided 
the same card is not used twice over. Thus, a player having declared 
four kings and holding two or three queens matching as to suit, may, 
after winning another trick, marry them all at the same time. But, if a 
player holds king and queen of spades and knave of diamonds, he must 
not put down the three cards to score marriage and bezique. He must 
first score one combination, say bezique ; then, after winning another 
trick, he may place the king on the table and score marriage. 

In declaring fresh combinations one or more cards of the fresh combina- 
tion must proceed from the part of the hand held up. For instance : a 
player having sequence in trumps should first declare marriage in trumps, 
and then, having won another trick, he can declare the sequence by adding 
the sequence cards. If he incautiously shows the sequence first he can- 
not afterward score marriage of the king and queen on the table. 

The same card can be declared more than once, provided the combina- 
tion in which it afterward appears is of a different class. Thus : suppose 
spades are trumps, the queen of spades can be declared in marriage of 
trumps, in sequence, and in four queens ; but a king or queen once mar- 
ried cannot be married again, nor can a card having taken part in a set 
of four take part in another set of four, to make four aces, kings, queens, 
or knaves ; nor can one bezique card be substituted for another to form a 
second single bezique. 

The player scoring the last trick can at the same time declare in accord- 
ance with the foregoing rules. After this all declarations cease. 

PLAYING THE LAST EIGHT TRICKS. 
The last two cards of the stock are taken, one by each player, as before, 
the loser of the last trick taking the turn-up or seven as the case may be. 
Then all cards on the table that have been exposed in declaring are taken 
up by the player to whom they belong, and the play of the last eight 
tricks commences. The winner of the last trick now leads ; the second 
player must follow suit if he can, and must vdn the trick if he can. If he 
holds a trump, and is not able to follow suit, he must win the trick by 
trumping. The winner of the trick leads to the next. The tricks are 
still only valuable for the aces and tens they may contain. 

MODE OF SCORING. 

A numbered dial with hand, or a bezique board and pegs, or counters, 
may be used. The last plan is to be preferred. Eleven counters are 



192 BEZIQUE, 

required by each player, one marking 500, four each marking 100, one 
marking 50, and five each marking 10. The counters are placed to the 
left of the player, i ]id when used to score are transferred to his right. 
This system of marking shows at a glance not only how many each 
player has scored, but, by looking to his left, how many he is playing for. 
This is often important when near the end of the game. 

The game is usually played 1000 up. If one player scores 1000 before 
his adversary obtains 500, the game counts double. A partie is the best 
three games out of five, reckoning a double as two games. 

VARIATIONS IN THE MODE OF PLAYING. 

Three and Four-Handed B^zique. — Bezique may be played by 
three or four persons. If by three, all play against each other, three packs 
of cards being used. The dealer deals to his left, and the player first 
dealt to leads to the first trick. The rotation of dealing proceeds to 
the left. 

A second double bezique — to make which fresh bezique cards must be 
declared to a bezique on the table — counts another 500. Triple bezique 
counts 1500. All the cards of the triple bezique must be on the table at 
the same time. The game is generally played 2000 up. 

In playing the last eight tricks, the third hand, if not able to follow 
suit, nor to win the trick by trumping, may play any card he pleases. 

In other respects, the mode of play is the same as in the two-handed 
game. 

When four play, four packs of cards are used. The players may play 
independently, or they may play with partners, the partners being cut 
for, and sitting opposite each other, as at Whist. 

The scores are the same as before, but the four-handed game is usually 
played 2000 up, a second double bezique counting 500, and triple bezique 
counting 1500. All the cards of double or triple bezique must be on the 
table at the same time, but the beziques may be declared from the hand 
of either partner. A player may declare when he or his partner takes a 
trick. 

In playing the last eight tricks, the first and second players, beginning 
from the dea? ^'s left, play their cards against each other, and score the 
aces and tens, and then the other two similarly play their cards. 

One player scores for himself and his partner as at Whist. 

Three and four-handed Bezique are not so amusing as two-handed. 
When four wish to play it is better to have two separate tables. 

Number of Packs. — Sometimes two players use four or six packs 0} 
cards shuffled tof^ether. In this case nine cards are sometimes deal) 



b6zique. 193 

instead of eight, the game is 2000 up, and triple bezique can be scored 
Using so many packs makes the game too complicated. 

Diminished Scores. — Some players consider the double bezique and 
sequence scores too high, and by agreement make the score for double 
bezique 300, and that for sequence 200. 

Last Trick. — The last trick is sometimes understood to mean the 
thirty-second trick, or the last of all. ' This, however, is an error, which 
has probably arisen through the imperfect nomenclature adopted. 

Aces and Tens. — Sometimes aces and tens are not scored till the end 
of the hand. In this case each time an ace or ten is played the winner of 
the trick takes up the cards on the table, and turns them face downward 
in front of himself ; and when all the cards have been played, each player 
looks through his packet to ascertain how many aces and tens it contains. 
WTien near the termination of the game, if scoring in this way, it occa- 
sionally happens that both sides can score out. This being so, some 
players deduct the number of aces and tens held by one from those held 
by the other, and only allow the majority of aces and tens to reckon. 
Other players when near the end count the aces and tens in their tricks 
at once if it makes them out. Thus : being 960, and having four aces 
and tens in the trick, the player would at once call game. Others again 
give precedence in scoring aces and tens to the player who wins the last 
trick. But by far the best and simplest method is to mark each ace and 
ten as the score accrues, not only at the end, but all through the game, 
just as is done in the case of other scores. 



HINTS TO LEARNERS. 

The first difficulty in playing to the tricks is to decide what cards to 
throw away and what cards to retain, so as to do the least harm to your 
chance of scoring. The following hints merely touch on the elements of 
the play, the mode of managing deep or difficult games being quite 
beyond the scope of this small guide. 

1. It is no advantage to get the lead unless you have something to 
declare, but as a rule, rather the reverse. Therefore, when a card (not 
an ace or a ten) is led, do not take it, but throw away a losing card, 
(But see Hints 5 and 12.) 

2. The cards that can be parted with without loss are sevens, eights, 
and nines, as they form no part of any of the combinations that score, 
(But see Hint 7.) 



194 BtZIQUE. 

3. After these, the least injurious cards to part with are knaves (except 
^e bezique knave and the knave of trumps). 

4. It is better when in difficulties to lead a ten or an ace, as a rule, 
than a king or queen, though there are many exceptions. It is true that 
aces count a hundred, kings only eighty, and queens only sixty ; but 
kings and queens can marry and aces cannot. And, as a rule, if you go 
for four aces, you have to sacriiice' some other combination, and having 
shown four aces, you are pretty sure to lose some of them in the tricks. 
Recollect that every ace or ten lost to you makes a difference of twenty 
to the score. 

5. It is seldom advisable to go for four aces unless you happen to hold 
three, and are in no difficulty. Rather make tricks with the aces when 
opportunity offers. 

6. If driven to lead an ace or a ten, and your adversary does not take 
the trick, it is often good play to lead another next time. 

7. Do not part with small trumps if It can be helped. The seven, 
eight, and nine of trumps should be kept to trump aces or tens led. If 
possible keep one small trump in hand to get the lead with when you 
want to declare. 

8. Do not part with trump sequence cards. Even if you have a dupli- 
cate card of the trump sequence you should not play it until near the end 
of the hand, as playing it shows your opponent that you have a duplicate. 
This frees his hand, as he need no longer keep sequence cards. Armed 
with this knowledge he will trump every ace and ten you subsequently lead. 

^, Until near the end of the hand, do not part with bezique cards, 
even after declaring bezique. By so doing you give up all chance of 
double bezique, the score for which is very high. Having declared 
bezique, and holding or drawing another bezique card, sacrifice every- 
thing, even sequence cards if necessary, for the chance of double bezique. 

10. Having a choice between playing a possible scoring card from your 
hand, or a small trump from your hand, or a card that you have declared, 
as a rule play the declared card, so as not to expose your hand. 

11. Avoid showing your adversary, by what you declare, that he can- 
not make the trump sequence or double bezique. By keeping him in the 
dark you hamper his game, and as a likely consequence may save some 
of your tens or aces from being taken by him. For example, suppose 
early in the hand you hold four queens, viz., two queens of hearts (hearts 
being trumps) and two queens of spades. It is much better to sacrifice, 
or, at all events, to postpone scoring, sixty, and not to declare these, than 
to let your adversary know that he cannot make sequence or bezique. 



BtlZIQUE. 195 

12. Whenever your adversary leads a card (not the ace) of a suit oi 
which you hold the ten, take the trick with the ten. This rule does not 
apply to trumps, as in that suit you require the ten to form part of your 
sequence, 

13. Win the l?^t trick if possible. Lead out the ace of trumps for this 
purpose. In the first place the trick scores ten, and in the next, winning 
it prevents your adversary from declaring anything more that hand. 

14. Toward the end of the hand run your eye over the cards your ad- 
versary has on the table, and play accordingly. For example : suppose 
your opponent has an ace on the table, and you hold a card of that suit, 
throw away that card that you may be able to trump the ace in the play 
of the last eight tricks. 

15. In playing the last eight tricks your only object should be to save 
your aces or tens and to win those of the adversary. 



LAWS OF BlfeZIQUE. 



CUTTING. 

1. The highest deals. In cutting, the cards rank as in playing. 

DEALING. 

2. The players deal alternately throughout the game. 

3. If the dealer gives his adversary or himself too few cards, the num* 
ber must be completed from the stock. The non-dealer, not having 
looked at his cards, may, if he prefers it, have a fresh deal (see also 
Law 8). 

4. If the dealer gives his adversary too many cards, the player having 
too many must not draw until his number is reduced to seven. If the 
dealer gives himself too many cards, the non-dealer may draw the sur- 
plus cards, and add them to the stock. But if the dealer, having too many 
cards, looks at his hand, he is liable to Law 9. 

5. If a card is exposed in dealing, the adversary has the option of a 

fresh deal. 

DRAWING. 

6. If a player draws out of his turn and the adversary follows the draw, 
there is no penalty. If the adversary discovers the error before drawing 
he may add twenty to his score, cm* deduct twenty from that of the othei 
l^yer. 



196 bWzique. 

7. If the first player when drawing lifts two cards instead of one, the 
adversary may have them both turned face upward, and then choG:^e 
which he will take. If the second player lifts two caids, the adversary 
has a right to see the one improperly lifted, and at the next draw the tw^ 
top cards are turned face upward, and the player not in fault may chooae 
which he will take. 

8. If a player plays with seven cards in his hand, the adversary may 
add twenty to his own score, or deduct twenty from that of the other 
player. On discovery of the error, the player with a card short must 
take two cards at his next draw instead of one. 

9. If both players draw a second time before playing, there is no pen- 
alty. Each must play twice without drawing. But if at any time during 
the play of the hand one player discovers the other to have nine cards, 
himself holding but eight, he may add 200 to his own score, or deduct 
200 from that of the other player. The player having nine cards must 
play to the next trick without drawing. 

PLAYING. 

10. If a player at two-handed Bezique shows a card on the table in 
error, there is no penalty, as he cannot possibly derive any benefit from 
exposing his hand. 

11. If a player at three or four-handed Bezique shows a card on the 
table in error, he must leave it on the table, and he cannot declare any- 
thing in combination with it. 

12. If a player at two-handed Bezique leads out of turn, there is no 
penalty. If the adversary follows, the error cannot be rectified. 

13. If a player at three or four-handed Bezique leads out of turn, he 
must leave the exposed card on the table, and he cannot declare anything 
in combination with it. If all the players follow to a lead out of turn 
there is no penalty, and the error cannot be rectified, 

14. The cards played must not be searched. 

LAST EIGHT TRICKS. 

15. If a player revokes in the last eight tricks, or does not win the card 
led, if able, all aces and tens in the last eight tricks are scored by the ad- 
rersary. 

SCORING. 

16. An erroneous score, if proved, may be corrected at any time during 
the hand. An omission to score, if proved, can be rectified at any tivui 
during the hand. 



3£JZIQUE. 197 



THREE-HANDED BEZIQUE. 

One more player requires an additional pack of cards. Every player is 
for himself. The deal goes round to the left. A triple scores 1,500 
points, the count to win being 2,000. If, when the last eight cards are 
to be played, the third hand does not have any of the suit, and is unable 
to trump, he has the right to play as he sees fit. 

FOUR-HANDED BEZIQUE. 

This game requires four packs. Sometimes there are partners, but 
each one may play for himself. The game has the same count as Triple 
Bezique — 2,000 points. Declarations, if a partnership game is played, 
are called when either of the partners take a trick. 

VARIOUS GAMES. 

There all several games of Bezique played which depend upon caprice ; 
as counting when kings of hearts and queens of diamonds are ill tbe 
^ttUd : or kings of clubs and queens of ^Mides. 

RUBICON BEZIQUE. 

This game practically has taken the place of Bezique. It was recog- 
nized finally in 1887, when the Portland Club drafted laws for the 
game, which is now the standard game of Bezique. 

I.AWS OF RUBICON BEZIQUE. 

(Adopted by the Portland Club.) 

1. This game is played with four packs of cards of thirty-two each 
and shuffled together. 

2. Both players have a right to shuffle the cards, it being the pre- 
rogative of the dealer to shuffle last, however. 

CUTTING. 

3. The cut must consist of five cards at least, five or more re- 
maining in the lower packet. 

4. The player cutting the higher card has choice of deal, seats, and 
markers throughout the play. A player who plays a la chouette has 
the choice without cutting. 



198 B^ZIQUE. 



5. If, in cutting for the deal, more than one card is exposed, the 
player must cut again. 

6. The incorrectness of a pack does not affect the validity of the cut. 

DE:Ai,iNa 

7. The cards are dealt either one at a time, the top card being given 
to the non-dealer, the next to himself (the dealer), or the three top 
cards to opponent and then three to himself, and so on until each player 
has received his quota of nine cards. The cards remaining, called talon 
or stock, are placed, face downward, in one packet in the centre of the 
table to the dealer's left. 

8. When there is a misdeal it can be rectified by permission of the 
opponent, if discovered before the deal is completed. The deal is com- 
pleted upon the turning up of the trump card. 

9. If, upon the completion of the deal, but prior to the first trick 
being played to, it is discovered that one or the other of the players 
has more cards than belong to him, there must be a new deal; if, how- 
ever, it is found that one or the other of the players has too few cards, 
his hand may be completed from the stock by mutual consent, or other- 
wise there shall be a new deal. 

10. If the dealer expose any of his own cards, the deal can stand; but 
if he expose a card belonging to his adversary or to the stock, the non- 
dealer may require a. fresh deal. 

11. If a player plays with m.ore cards than he should have in his hand, 
he is rubiconed, but the adversary cannot add more than 900 to his 
score, or 300 fof brisque and 1,000 for the game. When both of the 
players play with too many cards the game will be considered null and 
void. 

12. If one or both players play with too few cards, either one or the 
other — whoever made the mistake — shall keep that number throughout 
the hand and score after the usual fashion. When only one of the 
players does this, the other will necessarily win the last trick. 

13. When one player plays with too many and the other with too few 
cards, the deal holds good, the former being rubiconed and the latter 
cannot score the last trick. 

14. A card led in turn shall not be taken up after it has been played 
to; if, however, more than one card be played at the same time, all but 
one may be taken up. A card led out of turn shall be taken up unless 
it is covered, in which case the trick shall hold good. 

15. Either of the players may count the stock at any time, and when 



BEZIQUE. 1 9^1 

he finds that twelve cards or less remain therein, either of the players 
may count the brisques in his own tricks. 

DRAWING. 

i6. If, in drawing, either player sees cards to which he has no right, 
he must show them to his opponent, and when the winner of a trick sees 
the second card the loser may see the top card. If the loser draw first 
and the winner, without observing the mistake, draw second, both must 
retain the cards drawn. 

17. If the loser of the trick, when it is his turn to draw, see two 
cards of the stock, the player who has won may choose either of the 
cards after the next trick, whether he win it or not. Thus, if either 
player see any number of cards, his adversary shall always choose which 
one he prefers, after each trick, as long as any card seen by the other is 
undrawn. When there is an odd number in the stock the last card is not 
drawn. 

DECIvARING. 

18. Declared cards must be placed face upward on the table always, 
and separate from the tricks, and — save in the case of carte blanche — 
must stay there until played or the stock be exhausted. Bezique com- 
binations can be declared separately, and later be united to form a 
superior combination. 

SCORING. 

19. W^hen a player scores for a combination to which he has no right, 
and his opponent does not discover the error until a card has been 
played to the subsequent trick, the error cannot be corrected. When a 
score is marked wrong it can be rectified at any time during the progress 
of the game. 

the: IvAst nine: tricks. 

20. If a player, while the last nine tricks are being played, fails to 
follow suit or win the trick, though he could have done so, immediately 
the mistake is discovered, the tricks must be played over again, begin- 
ning from the one in which the error occurred. 

bystande:rs. 

21. When a bystander, inadvertently or otherwise, calls attention to 
any error or oversight, and thereby affects the score, he can be called 
upon to pay all stakes and bets of the player whose interest he has 
prejudicially influenced. 



200 BEZIQUE. 



POLISH BEZIQUE, OR FILDINSKI. 

This variation is very like the ordinary game and is not hard to ac- 
quire. As the scoring is quite different, the change from one game to 
the other often proves agreeable. 

The game is played by either two or four persons. The principal 
difference in the two games is that in Bezique proper the cards played 
on a trick are no longer of value, while in the Polish game the winner 
of the trick takes all the scoring cards it contains — that is, all court 
cards and aces, and the ten of trumps — and arranges them, face upward, 
before him, and scores for any combinations they may make together. 
The cards of no value are cast aside, but the winner of each trick scores 
the brisques it may contain. Brisques may be scored after every trick, 
and not left to the end of the hand. 

Cards gained by a player in tricks and placed before him do not belong 
to his hand, and cannot be PlyAYKD; they can be declared in scoring 
combinations only. 

The scoring combinations are the same as in ordinary Bezique. 

Brisques contained in tricks count ten each, and the winner of the 
trick before the last cards are drawn also counts ten. 

The Bezique cards are queen of spades and knave of diamonds; but 
when spades or diamonds are trumps it is generally considered better to 
make the queen of hearts and knave of clubs for Bezique. 

As in the other games, declarations can only be made on winning a 
trick and prior to drawing, but in Polish Bezique a declaration cannot be 
made unless one of the cards, at least, which were just gained form part 
of the combination. 

When a player draws a card he loses the score for all the declarations 
he may have failed to score. 

Declarations may be made and scored in any number and at the same 
time, and in any order whatever; but no card is allowed to be declared 
more than once in the same combination. All cards declared remain on 
the table till the end of the hand, even though they may not form part 
of any more combinations, and both of the players have a right to see 
all the declared cards. 

The seven of trumps is declared or exchanged at the same time other 
cards are; i.e., when it is in the trick after which the declaration is 
made. 

It can be declared by the player taking the trick, whether he takes it 
with a seven or takes the seven led by his opponent with a higher card. 



BEZIQUE, 20 1 

When the seven is exchanged for the turned-up card, the latter is put 
with the declared cards whicli belong to the player. If, however, it is 
not exchanged, but simply declared, the seven is put aside with the cards 
of no value. 

In the last eight tricks Polish Bezique is like the ordinary game, as 
regards following suit, leading the trick when able, and so on. It differs 
in this: The declarations can continue to be made just as before, until the 
end of the hand. 

When the seven of trumps has been exchanged, the player drawing it 
at the end may not declare it again during the last eight tricks. 

Generally the game is 2,000 up, as the scoring combinations are so 
much easier to attain than in the ordinary game. 

In other things the rules of the ordinary game govern this. 

A variety of the game, preferred by some players to the one de- 
scribed above, is played by two persons with three packs of Bezique cards 
instead of two. 

The rules and method of play are like those with two packs, but in 
consequence of the extra number of cards employed in this the game is 
2,500 or 3,000 up, and triple Bezique scores. 

The scores of sequences, double and triple Bezique can be lowered by 
agreement to 150, 300, and 1,000. 

FOUR-HANDKD POUSH BEZIQUE. 

This can be played, as the ordinary game, two against two or all 
against all. Four or even five packs of Bezique cards are used, and the 
game is usually 2,000 or 3,000 up. The scoring combinations are like 
those of the two-handed game; and a triple bezique counts 1,500, while a 
quadruple bezique wins the game. 

A double or triple or quadruple bezique can be declared by either 
partner, after the winning of the card or cards making up with his open 
cards a single or double bezique, and then — not before this — he can add 
a single or double bezique among his partner's open cards. In short, 
except in the case of double, triple, or quadruple bezique, each partner 
can score a combination only of cards won by himself. At the end of 
the game the partners add their respective scores. 

I.AWS OF POUSH BEZIQUE. 

In this game the laws of Rubicon Bezique apply, except: 
A player with more cards than he should have in his hand forfeits 200 
points and must give the extra cards to his adversary, who can add them 



202 BEZIQUE, 

to his declared cards. When both players play with too many cards, they 
shall continue to play without drawing until the error is rectified. 
When one player has too many and the other too few cards, the deal 
holds good; the former forfeits 200 points and the latter cannot score 
the last trick. 

Any score unclaimed before the leading of the next card is forfeited. 
If a player scores too many for a combination, the overscore is de- 
ducted and added to the score of his adversary. After the latter, how- 
ever, has played another score before discovering the error, it must go 
uncorrected. 

If a player, while the last tricks are being played, fails to follow suit 
or win the trick, although he could have done so, he shall forfeit all 
scores made in the last eight tricks and give all the cards to his opponent. 



PENUCHLE, 



OR 



PINOCLE, 



RULES OF THE GAME. 

The game of Penuchle can be played by two, three, or four persons, 
each playing for his own hand, or by two partners against two. It is 
played with the following forty-eight cards, selected from the pack: 



Two nines of hearts, 
" " spades, 

clubs, 
" " diamonds, 

" tens of hearts, 

spades, 

clubs, 
" ** diamonds, 

" jacks of hearts, 
** " spades, 

clubs, 
" " diamonds. 



Two queens of hearts, 
" spades, 

clubs, 
** diamonds, 

kings of hearts, 
*' spades, 

clubs, 
" diamonds, 

aces of hearts, 
** spades, 

clubs, 
" diamonds. 



(48 cards.) 



CUTTING FOR DEAI,. 

In cutting for deal the highest wins; ace being high, the other cards 
follow in their rank, thus: ten, king, queen, jack, and nine, which is the 
lowest. 

TWO-HANDED GAME. 

The dealer deals twelve cards to each player, four at a time, and then 
turns up the next card as the trump. The dealer's opponent plays first. 
The winner of the trick takes a card off the remaining cards of the deck 

(203) 



204 FENUCHLE. 

Irst, and his opponent follows !n like manner ; In this way the numbef 
of cards in each hand becomes twelve again, as at first. 

The winner of the trick plays out first, and so on throughout until the 
remaining cards of the deck are all used up. After all the cards have 
been taken the players must follow suit, and when trumps are played 
must go over it, or win the trick if possible ; if the player cannot take the 
trick he must play a smaller trump ; if he has no trumps he can play any 
card he please. Whoever takes the last trick is entitled to ten point& 
sooo points is the limit of the game. 

VALUE OF THE CARDS. 
There are 250 points in each hand, including the last trick. 

Such as eight aces, which count 11 points apiece 88 

•• " tens, " 10 «« 80 

kings, »* 4 " 3a 



i< 



•* ** queens, •* 3 " 24 



•( 



jacks, « a « ,6 



10 points for the last trick. • • 10 

The limit of one hand. 250 

Caids rank as follows : Ace, ten, king, queen, jack, and nine. 

MELTING.* 

If the dealer, after dealing the cards, turns up the nine, he is entitled 
to 10 points ; if he turns up any card but the nine, the player who holds 
one of the nines of the same suit as the card turned up, after taking a 
trick can exchange that nine for the trump turned up, and is also entitled 
to 10 points. The holder of the other nine of trumps can lay it on the 
Soard, and is also entitled to 10 points. 

All cards melted must be placed on the board, face upward, and left 
there until all the rest of the cards are picked up unless a player wishes 
to play them. 

8 aces placed on the board at the same time count . • looo 

8 kings placed on the board at the same time count . . 800 

8 queens placed on the board at the same time count , 600 

8 jacks placed on the board at the same time count . . 400 
The five highest trumps, which are the ace, ten, king, 

queen, and jack, when placed on the board count . . 150 

• From *' tnelden ** (German)— to announce or call out. 



PENUCHLE, 205 

The king and queen of trumps can be placed on the board first, count- 
ing 40 points, and the three remaining trumps placed down afterward, 
counting 150 more. 

4 aces, all of a different suit, count 100 

4 kings, t» «» i» 80 

4 queens, »» «» «» 60 

4 jacks, »* tt «( 4Q 

A king and a queen of the same suit, excepting trumps, count 20; 
when it is trumps it counts 40 points. 

Queen of spades and jack of diamonds count 40, and make Pinocle. 

Two jacks of diamonds and two queens of spades placed on the board 
together count 300, and make Double Pinocle. 

A player, after melting 40 Pinocle, cannot melt 300 by placing the 
other jack of diamonds and queen of spades on the board, as the two 
jacks of diamonds and the two queens of spades must be placed there 
together. 

A player cannot melt until he takes a trick, and only once after taking 
such trick. 

If a player has 920 points to his credit, and takes a trick, and then 
melts 80 kings, he is out. 

If the dealer has 990 points to his credit, and turns up the nine, which 
entitles him to 10 points, he cannot call out, as he has not taken a trick. 

A player can melt three twenties of different suits, and then lay down 
the other king or queen of a different suit, and melt 80 if it is the king, 
or 60 if it is the queen. 

If both players should play on aftb^ they reach the required 1000 
points, the first player who stops playing and claims out, wins. If both 
players should claim out together, and have the required amount to theii 
credit, they would have to continue playing to 1250. 

If there is a misdeal the dealer must deal the cards again. 

If a player melts Pinocle and lays down the other 3 jacks of different 
suits, and different from the one on the board, he is entitled to 40 points, 
or if he melts 40 jacks and lays down the queen of spades before he plays 
the jack of diamonds from the board, he is* entitled to 40 points. 

A player can only melt once after taking a trick. When he takes a 
trick, and has in his hand the king or the queen of diamonds, and hearts 
is the trump, he lays them on the board and counts 20. He cannot meli 
anything else until he has taken another trick. 

If a player melts 150 trumps, and has the other king or queen o< 
trumps, he cannot place either on the board and melt. 



2o6 FENUCHLE. 

But if he has the king and queen of trumps, besides those used to 
count the 150 trumps, he can count 40 more. 

If a player melts 80 kings, and then mates them by placing a queen ol 
the same suit as one of the kings, he counts 20 each time, unless it is 
trumps, when he counts 40, if he does not play any of the queens from 
the board ; and when he has three queens of different suits, and places 
down another of a different suit from the above, he counts 60. He must 
take a trick between each melt. 

The same rule applies to the kings when the queens are placed on the 
board. 

If a player melts 100 aces and 40 trumps, and places the ten and jack 
on the board, he can melt 150 more, if he has not played any of the othei 
3 trumps off of the board. 

If a player melts 40 jacks, and then lay down the other jack of diva- 
monds and two queens of spades, he can melt 300 Pinocle ; or if a player 
melts both queens of spades, and lays down the two jacks of diamonds, 
he can claim 300 Pinocle — that is if he has not played either of the queens 
off of the board. 

If a player melts 150 trumps, and then lay down the other 3 aces, 
or the other 3 kings, or the other 3 queens, or the other 3 jacks, having 
them of four different suits, he can melt 100 for aces, 80 for kings, 60 for 
queens, or 40 for jacks, that is if he does not play any one of the four 
different suits from the board, 

THREE-HANDED GAME. 

The person who cuts the highest card deals. 

The dealer gives the cards, four at a time, until all the cards are dealt, 
thereby giving each player 16 cards, and turns up the bottom card 
which is the trump. If the player who has first play has the nine of the 
same suit as the card turned, he has the privilege of exchanging it for the 
card turned up, and is also entitled to 10 points ; if he does not have the 
nine, and the player who follows him has, the second player has the same 
privilege as the first, thereby giving the dealer the last chance; if the 
dealer has the two nines of the same suit as the card turned up, he picks 
up the trump card, and is entitled to 10 points for each nine, which ar? 
called Deaces. 

MELTING. (THREE-HANDED.) 

The players then melt their cards in the following, manner : 
If a player holds 4 aces all different, he is entitled to 100 ; if he holds 
the 4 highest trumps besides the 4 aces, he can melt 150 more trumgs, as 



PENUCHLE. 207 

k g:ives hinx the ace, king, queen, jack, and ten of trumps. If a playel 
holds 4 kings, all different suits, or 4 queens, all different suits, he is ea 
titled to 240 points, such as : 

80 kings, 60 queens, 40 trumps, and three 20's, which make 240 in all. 

A player, after melting 150 trumps cannot melt 40 trumps by placing 
a king or a queen of trumps to mate them ; he must place both the king 
and the queen of trumps beside the ones used to melt the 150 trumps. 

This rule also applies to kings, queens, and jacks. 

All the cards melted are to be placed on the board. 

If a player holds the jack of diamonds and queen of spades he is en- 
titled to 40 points, which is called Pinocle ; if he holds 2 jacks of dia- 
monds and 2 queens of spades, he is entitled to 300 points, which is called 
Double Pinocle. 

A player can place the 3 jacks of different suits, and different from the 
ones used in melting Pinocle on the board, which entitles him to 40 points 
more. 

The same rule applies to queens, which entitles the player to 60 points. 

If a player, after melting Pinocle, has the king of spades, and spades 
are trumps, he is entitled to 40 trumps ; if not trumps, he is entitled to 
20 points, which is called 20 spades. 

If a player melts 80 kings, and then places a queen to mate, he is en- 
titled to 20 points ; if the queen is of the same suit as the trump, he is 
entitled to 40 points. 

8 aces, 8 kings, 8 queens, 8 jacks, count the same as in the two-handed 
game. 

4 aces, 4 kings, 4 queens, 4 jacks, all of different suits, count the same 
as in the two-handed game. 

1000 points is the limit of the game. 

There are 250 points in a hand. The last trick counts 10 points, the 
same as in two-handed. 

Two queens of trumps and 2 kings of trumps count 80 points, 40 fo\ 
each king and queen. 

After the players have melted, each player counts his melt, and thi 
game-keeper places it to the credit of each player. 

If a player melts 40 trumps, the deace, 100 aces and 60 queens, he ia 
entitled to 210 points. 

Another player melts 80 kings, 20 hearts, and 40 jacks, he is entitled 
to 140 points. 

The other player melts 150 trumps, 40 Pinocle and the deace, he is eij: 
titled to 200 points. 



2o8 PENUCIfLE. 



PLAYING. (THREE-HANDED.) 

All the melting cards are taken off of the board by the players. Th« 
/tay begins by the player next to the dealer. If after the first card is 
played a player discovers he has melting cards in his hand that he has 
not melted, he can melt them and have the melt placed to his credit. If 
the second player has played, then he cannot melt them, as there are two 
cards played on the board. 

The player who takes the trick plays the first card for the next trick. 

The ace is the highest card and counts ii points ; the ten is next and 
counts ID points ; the king is next and counts 4 points ; the queen is next 
and counts 3 points ; the jack is next and counts 2 points ; the nine is 
lowest and does not count. 

When trumps are played the player must play over it if possible ; foi 
example, if spades are trumps, and the king of spades is led, if the 
second player has in his hand the ten or ace of trumps, he must play it 
on the king ; if he has no trumps in his hand he can play any card he 
chooses. 

The same rule applies to the third and last player, with the second 
player, as it does to the second player and the first player. 

When a card of any other suit excepting trumps is played, a player is 
not compelled to go over it, but must follow suit if possible ; if he can't 
follow suit, he must trump it ; if he can neither follow suit nor trump it, 
he can play any card he chooses. 

For example : if spades are trumps, and the jack of clubs is led, and the 
second player holds the nine, ace, and the other jack of clubs, he can 
play the nine on the jack played, thereby keeping the ace of clubs to play 
on higher cards, such as the king or ten. 

The last player can play on the second player's card in the same way 
as the second player plays on the first player's card. 

When a player plays a card of a different suit from the trump, and the 
second player cannot follow suit and has a trump in his hand, he must 
trump the first player's card ; if the last player has not a card of the same 
suit as the card played by the first, and has a trump in his hand larger 
than the trump played by the second player, he is compelled to play it on 
the trick ; if he has not a larger trump than the second player, and has a 
smaller trump in his hand, he must play the smaller trump ; if he has no 
trumps nor a card of the same suit as the card played by the first playei^ 
he can play any card he chooses. The player who takes the trick has t© 
Dl*y first for the next trick, and so on throughout the hand. 



PENUCHLE, 



209 



COUNTING. (THREE-HANDED.) 

After all the cards are played, the players begpin to count their points. 
The player who takes the last trick is entitled to 10 points. The player 
who played first at the first hand, deals the cards for the second hand of 
the game, thereby giving the player who played second at the first hand 
the privilege of exchanging the deace for the trump card turned up, thus 
securing each player the same privilege throughout the game. After each 
player counts his points, the game-keeper enters them to the credit of 
each player. 

If a player, when nearing the end of the game, has 940 points to his 
credit, and melts 80, and does not take a trick during the course of the 
hand, he is not out, and will have to play another hand, as a player can- 
not call out until he takes a trick. 

If a player has a high score, for example, 950 points to his credit, and 
on the next deal receives cards sufficient to melt out, he is obliged to win 
a trick before he can claim out ; after winning the trick needed to secure 
his game, he is obliged to play his highest trump card, and follow in rank 
with the others, so as to equalize the chances of the remaining players. 

If a player should obtain the required 1000 points before the other two 
players are out, the other two players will have to finish the game two- 
handed, according to the rules governing this game. 

After a game is ended and the play is continued, the cards are dealt by 
the player following the dealer who dealt the cards last in the game. 

FOUR-HA.NDED PINOCLE. 

All hands cut for deal ; the player who cuts the ace deals ; if a tie oc- 
curs, the players who tie cut again. 

The dealer deals each player twelve cards, four a* \i time, and turns up 
the bottom card, which is trumps. If it should be "he nine, the dealer is 
entitled to 10 points. If it is any other card, and the first player has the 
nine of the same suit, he has the privilege of exchanging the same as in 
three-handed, and is entitled to 10 points. If the first player has not one 
of the nines which is called the Deace, and the second player has, he is 
entitled to the same privilege. If neither the first nor second player has 
either of the atnes and the third player has, he is entitled to the same 
privilege. If neither player but the dealer has the nines, he is entitled to 
20 points — 10 for each deace, and keeps the card turned up. All the 
cards melted are to be placed on the board, and counted the same as in 
three-handed, and the game-keeper puts each player's melt down to his 
credit. 



2IO PENUCHLE. 

No player is allowed to melt after the second card of the first trick is 
on the board. 

looo points is the limit of the game. The cards count the same as in 
the three-handed game. The melting also counts the same. The same 
rule, in regard to following suit and going over trumps, applies to four- 
handed as in the three-handed game. 

The player who takes the last trick is entitled to lo points. A player 
must take a trick, the same as in three-handed, before he can claim out. 

A player is supposed to play his cards after he is out the same as in 
three-handed. 

If one player should obtain the required looo points, the three remain- 
ing players play three-handed. The same rules govern them as in a 
three-handed game. 

If another player should obtain the required looo points, and at the 
end of the hand the other two players have some points to go, the two 
players must finish the game two-handed under the rules governing tha 
two-handed game. 

When the players start another game, the cards are dealt by the playei 
following the player who dealt the cards last in the previous game. 

PLAYING PARTNERS. 

A person deals the cards round, one at a time, face up, and whoever 
gets the first two aces are partners. 

Then two of the players, one player of each side, cut for deal, undei- 
the same rule as in two-handed. 

The partners should not foUow each other. 

The dealer gives twelve cards to each player, four at a time, and turns 
up the bottom card, which is trumps. 

The partner game has the same rules as those of the three and four- 
handed in regard to deaces. 

Each player places his melt on the board, and the partners count them 
together, and have them placed to their credit. Players have to follow 
suit, and go over in trumps the same as in a three-handed game. 

lOoo points is the limit of the game. 

No cards can be melted after the second player plays a card on the 
board. 

The cards and melts count the same as they do in three-handed. 

One partner cannot loan the other partner any cards to assist him. A 
player cannot claim out until he has taken a trick. If a player should 
call out, and throw down his cards, and has not the required looo points, 



PENUCHLE, 211 

he and his partner forfeit the game. If, when nearing the end of the 
game, one side has 60 points 4:o go, and one of the partners takes the 
tricks, and the other partner calls out when he thmks they have enough 
points taken in to give them the required amount, and they count their 
tricks and find they have not the required amount, they forfeit the 
game. 

If a player makes a misdeal, he must deal over again. 

If two players, one on each side, should call out together, and both have 
the required 1000 points, or a few over, they must have a new deal, the 
deal going to the next from the last dealer, leaving each side count what 
they made in the interinipted hand, and playing 1250 points. 

After all the cards are played the partners count their cards, and each 
side has its count placed to its credit. 

If players from each side should call out together, and neither side 
have the required 1000 points, the cards should be dealt by the player fol- 
lowing the player who dealt them last, and each side shall keep to their 
credit the amount of points they bad at the time of calling out. 

If one side is out, and the other partners want to play off two-handed, 
they ptay under the same rules that govern the two-handed game. 

After the game is finished, and the players start another game, the 
cards are dealt by the player following the player who dealt the cards 
last in the preceding game. 



FARO. 



Faro is played on a table covered with green cloth. The dealer, who 
is called the Banker, sits at one side, and opposite to him one or more 
assistants. The game may be played by any number of persons. 




THE LAY-OUT. 






4 ♦ 






® 



@ 












* * 








4 ♦ 



4 ♦ 



The Lay-Out has certain conventional divisions, called by players the 
Big Square ; this is made up of the ace, deuce, king, and queen, and 
is sometimes designated as the First Square. The Second Square is the 
next four cards, the knaye, ten, three, and four. The Third Square is 
the nine, seven, four, and five. The last three cards are called the Pot. 
In the Lay-Out, as represented, if a player were to place a check between 
the king and queen, it would be understood that he was betting on both 
king and queen. If he were to place it on the open space, exactly mid- 
way between the cards of the First Square, the bet would be made on alj 
the four cards, king, ace, queen, and deuce. In the illustration, the 
check shows a bet on all the four cards, queen, jack, deuce, and trey. 
The check at the bottom of the four would embrace the cards to the 
right and left, as the trey and five. The check under the ten would 
embrace the ten and four. When a check is put direct on a card, it 

(212) 



FARO. 213 

means a bet on that card only. There are many variations as to the 
methods of placing checks indicating character of wagers, which differ 
according to locality. 

Faro may be played with any number of people. As to betting, any 
of the cards are at the option of the bettor. He may take one or more 
as he pleases. 

The banker before the play indicates the limit of his game. Generally 
there is a limit as to the bet and to the amount, and this varies as to the 
betting on one, or two, or three, or four cards by the same player. When 
the plain hmit is spoken of, its meaning is that the bank allows the player 
to wager ^100 on one single card, and $200 on other cards in combina- 
tions ; another limit is as to the doubling of the money. Generally 
the banker limits this one-third of betting, and this limit is usually $100. 

DEALING. 

Cards are shuffled and cut by the dealer, who puts the pack face up- 
ward in a metal box, with a movable back to it, to which a spring is ad- 
justed, and this always keeps by its pressure the upper card in the case. 
There is a slit in the box, which allows only the top card to be taken 
from it at a time. Say the card exposed is a king, then the betting begins, 
the players making their wagers by means of checks on the Lay-Out. 
The first card that comes out after the king is the banker's card. Bets 
are made on a king. It is the banker's card, and the wagers on the king 
he wins. This is called the first turn. Then bets are again made. Say 
after the king is drawn out, a four appears. The four is for the bank, 
and the card under it for the players. Thus the game goes on. The 
first card exposed is for the bank, the-iiext one for the player. As the 
banker draws out the cards he puts them in two piles, the banker's cards 
being close to the box, the players' on the further side. Should two cards 
of the same denomination be shown, as two aces, two kings, two deuces, 
this is known as " a split," and is to the advantage of the bank, as one- 
half of the amount wagered is taken. Should the player wish to reserve 
the method of betting and wager on the card turned by the banker, this 
can be done. A peculiar kind of chip — sometimes a piece of metal, or a 
copper penny — is put on the chip, and it is then understood that the card 
turned for the banker is for the player. He bets then that the usual 
player's card will lose. When all but the last cards are drawn, a careful 
note of the drawing of the cards having been kept, there comes what is 
known as '* calling the last turn." There are three cards left, and 



214 FARO. 

wagers are made as to their places in drawing. Suppose a queeii, a teil, 
and a four were the three cards in the box. These cards may come out in 
three different combinations. If they can be named, the player may get 
twice or four times his wager. It would be four to one if the cards were 
all different, but two to one if of the three cards left two of them are of 
the same denomination, as two fours and a single queen. When the 
three cards left are of this kind, the peculiar combination is known as 
'» Cats." 

While the game is being played printed cards are distributed, on which 
all the cards which have been drawn can be noted. Cautious bettors can 
f thus prevent, after a certain number of cards have been drawn, the 
chances of the split, — because if three cards of the same denomination 
have appeared, there can only be one left. Three kings having been 
drawn, there can be no split in the final king. In addition to the cards 
given to players, the game is kept by means of what is known as a cue- 
box. This is modelled after the Lay-Out. There are wires strung out 
from the cards, on which buttons, as in a billiard count, can be moved. 
What cards are in or out can thus be seen at a glance. 

FARO TERMS. 

The Hock, is the last card in the dealing-box. 

A Deal, means when the whole 52 cards have been played. 

A Turn, is when the two cards are drawn, one for the bank, the other 
for the player. 

Copper, is to bet on the banker's card. 

Barring a bet, is when a player tells the banker, without moving his 
check, that for the turn, he remains off — not betting. 

Last Call, this is when three cards remain in the box. 

The Cat, or Cat Harpen, is when the last three cards are in the box, 
two cards being of the same denomination. 

The Soda Card, is the first card shown in the box before the game 
begins, on which no bet is made. 

LAWS OF FARO. 

Whatever money, or the representative of it, placed on the Lay-Out, is 
paid in its exact equivalent, if the player wins, by the banker, and is taken 
by the banker if the player loses. The exception is when the player au- 
dibly informs the banker that the bet is barred. The bet is barred until 
the player informs the banker to the contrary. 



FARO. 



215 



The banker once having arranged the cards in two piles as he drawa 
them from the box, must not shuffle or mix them. 

The banker has the same privileges as the player. He may stop play- 
ing when he pleases and close the bank. 

Dealers have by custom been the shufflers and cutters of the pack o{ 
cards used. 

[In respect to shuffling and cutting the pack of cards used in Faro by 
the dealer who is interested, many exceptions have been taken. In all 
games of chance it is natural for the dealer to shuffle, but not to cut. 
Where square games of Faro are played, the right of cutting of the pack 
by one or more players is never withheld. — Editors.] 

ODDS AT THE GAME OF FARO. 

The chance of splits varies according to the number of similar cardie 
remaining among those undealt. 

The odds against the players increase with every turn dealt. 

When twenty cards remain in hand, and the player's card but once in 
it, the banker's gain is 5 per cent. 

When the player's card is twice in twenty, the banker's is about tha 
34th part of the stake. 

When the player's card is thrice in twenty, the banker's gain is about 
4 per cent. 

When the player's card is four times in twenty, the banker's gain ia 
nearly the i8th part of the stake. 

When only eight cards remain, it is 5 to 3 in favor of the bank ; wheii 
but six are left, it is 2 to i ; and when no more than four, it is 3 to i. 

TABLE OF ODDS AGAINST WINNING ANY NUMBER OF 
EVENTS SUCCESSIVELY. 

Applicable to Faro^ Rouge et Noir, or other Games of Chance. 

That the player does not win his first stake is an equal bet 

That he does not win twice following, is 3 to i 

Three following times, is 7 to I 

Four ditto, is 15 to i 

Five ditto, is 31 to i 

Six ditto, is 63 to i 

Seven ditto, is 127 to i 

Eight ditto, is 255 to i 

Nine ditto, is .' 511 to i 

Ten ditto, is 1023 to j 



2l6 



FARO. 



A TABLE FOR FARO, 

Whereby the several advantages of the banker, in vi^hatever circumstai\ces 
he may happen to be, are seen sufficiently near at the first view : 





The Number 0/ Times the Player'*s Card is 


contained in 


Number oj 




the Stock, 




Cards in 








^he Stock, 










1 


1 


2 


3 


4 


52 


** 


** 


** 


50 


50 


¥rk 


94 


65 


48 


48 


48 


90 


62 


46 


46 


46 


86 


60 


44 


44 


44 


82 


57 


42 


42 


42 


78 


54 


42 


40 


40 


74 


52 


38 


38 


38 


70 


49 


36 


36 


36 


66 


46 


34 


34 


34 


62 


44 


32 


32 


32 


58 


41 


3° 


30 


30 


54 


38 


28 


28 


28 


50 


36 


26 


26 


26 


46 


33 


24 


24 


24 


42 


30 


22 


22 


22 


38 


28 


20 


20 


20 


34 


25 


16 


18 


18 


30 


22 


16 


16 


16 


26 


20 


14 


14 


14 


22 


17 


12 


12 


12 


18 


14 


10 


10 


10 


14 


12 


8 


8 


8 


II 


9 


6 



Use of the foregoing Table. 

I. To find the gain of the banker when there are thirty cards remaining 
in the stock, and the player's card twice in it : In the first column seek 
for the number answering to 30, the number of cards remaining in the 
stock ; over against it, and under 2, at the head of the table, you will find 
54, which shows that the banker's gain is the 54th part of the stake. 

II. To find the gain of the banker when but ten cards are remaining 
in the stock, and the player's card tlirice in it : Against 10, the number of 



PARO, 2iy 

cards, in the first column, and under number 3, you will find 12, which 
denotes that the banker's gain is the 12th part of the stake. 

III. To find the banker's profit when the player's cards remain twice 
in twenty-two : In the first column find 22, the number of cards ; over 
against it, under figure 2, at the head of the table, you will find 38, which 
shows that the gain is one 38th part of the stake. 

IV. To find the banker's gain when eight cards remain, and the play- 
cr*s card thrice among them : In the first column seek for 8, on a line 
with which, under the 3, stands the figure 9, denoting the profits to be 
i-9th, or '2S. ^d, in the guinea. 

Corollary i. From the table, it appears that the fewer cards there are 
in the stock the greater is the gain of the banker. 

Corollary 2. The least gain of the banker, under the same circum- 
stance, is when the player's card is but twice in hand ; the next greater 
when three times ; still greater when but once, and the greatest of all 
when four times. The profit of the banker is 3 per cent, upon all the 
sums adventured, supposing the player to stop when only six cards re- 
main ; but with hocly it is full 5 per cent* 



DONIINOKS. 



RULES GOVERNING THE VARIOUS GAMES. 

The dominoes are flat pieces of ivory, or bone, in the shape of a par- 
allelogram, or double square, and mostly have ebony backs. They are 
twenty-eight in number. The face of each is divided into tv/o compart- 
nients, each being either blank (d/anC'White)^ or furnished with pips, or 
black dots, numbering from one to twelve. The pieces are called by 
their numbers : 

Double-twelve, twelve-eleven, twelve-ten to twelve-blank. 

Double-eleven, eleven-ten, eleven-nine to eleven-blank. 

Double-ten, ten-nine, ten-eight to ten-blank. 

Double-nine, nine-eight, nine-seven to nine-blank. 

Double-eight, eight-seven, eight-six to eight-blank. 

The doubles run to double blank, which is the lowest domino. The 
double-ace suit is the lowest suit, consisting of two dominoes, double- 
ace and ace-blank. 

Before playing, all pieces are laid on the table, face down, and 
shuffled. 

The principal games played are Block, Draw, Muggins, Bingo, 
I Rounce, i^uchre, Bergen, Xoo, Matadore, Cyprus, etc. 

BLOCK. 

Seven pieces are drawn by each player. The one who has the highest 
double leads first, and afterward, the players lead in rotation. The next 
player matches one or other end of the piece laid down ; or if several bo 
down then the pips on one or other of the uncovered ends. If he can- 
not do this, he says so, and the other plays. When a player has played 
all his pieces before his opponent can get rid of his, he cries *' Domino," 
and adds to his account the number of spots on the pieces in his op- 
ponent's hand. If, at any time, neither can play, the game is said to be 
*' blocked"; the pieces left are exposed, face upward, and the player 
having the smallest number of spots on the pieces he has left, adds the 
number of those in his opponent's hand to his count. The score, unless 
otherwise agreed on, is one hundred ; but the usual score among players 
is now set at fifty. 

(218) 



DOMINOES. 



219 



DRAW. 

The only difference between the draw and the block game is, that in 
the former, when a party cannot play he draws frcm those on the table 
until he can find a piece to match. He may continue to draw after he 
has obtained the one wanted, but this is not considered courteous, though 
within the strict rule ; and it is better to make a special agreement not to 
do it before beginning to play. 

MUGGINS, OR FIVES. 

Five pieces are drawn by each player, the highest double leads first, 
and after the first hand the lead goes around in rotation to the left-hand 
player. If both parties forget who played last, it may be determined by 
drawing, the highest piece drawn winning the lead. After the first hand 
has been played the lead can be made with any piece chosen. If six-four 
or double-five be led it counts ten ; if four-ace, trey-deuce, or five-blank, it 
counts five. In setting, the player who can set a piece that will make 
the two ends count five, or any multiple thereof, adds that number to his 
score. Thus : five-deuce being led, and five-trey being set to it, the trey 
at one end is added to the two at the other, and counts five to the one 
who led the five-trey. 



• • • 

• • • • • • 



If six-trey or double-trey be now played it counts nothing, because th« 
flum of the two ends is only eight, which is not a multiple of five ; but 



• •^ • • • • • 
• • • 



if four-deuce or double-deuce be now played, the one who plays it win 
count ten, foi thit is the sum of the ends. 



— • • • 



220 



DOMINOES. 



We will suppose the game now goes on, and the six-trey is next added. 
The next player sets the double-six. Then, if the player next in turn sets 
four-trey it will count him fifteen, or if double-four, twenty. If one can- 











• 
• 

• 




















• 
• 


• 
• 


• • • 

• • • 


• 
• 
• 


• 
• 
• 


• 
• • 


• • 
• 

• • 


• 


o 


• 


• 


• 
• 


• 
• 






• 
• 
• 


• 
• 


• 

























not play in his turn he draws until he can ; but, unlike the draw game, 
he must play when he has drawn one that will match. He who plays 
out first cries *' Muggins," and, as in the block game, adds the spots in 
his opponent's hand to his score ; and the same rule prevails in case of a 
block, as in the other game. But in counting up it is always by a multi- 
ple of five. Thus, if the loser has six, ten, or twelve in hand, the winner 
only counts five of them, whereas if he has eight, or thirteen, the winner 
would have counted ten, or fifteen, and so on for any number. If there 
be a deuce-blank, or ace-blank, or double-blank, or double-ace left, it 
counts nothing, while a trey-ace, double-deuce, or deuce-ace counts five. 
The score is two hundred when two play, or one hundred and fifty if 
three or more are in the game. 

BINGO. 

This is the king of Domino games, requiring a deal of skill and a good 
memory to play well. There are seven pieces taken by each player, only 
two playing. The points of the game are seven. The score in each 
hand is seventy, and the first party arriving at that, and claiming it^ 
scores a point. Before commencing the lead is drawn for, and got by 
the lowest piece. After each has taken his seven pieces, the one who 
does not lead turns one of the remaining pieces, and the highest figure 
on that is trump, the blank counting as seven, and being, of course, 
higher than the six. As soon as a trick has been taken the winner draws 
a piece from those left, and then the loser one. This continues until all 
have been drawn, the turned up trump domino being taken by the one 
who has the last draw. 

The elder hand plays. It is not necessary to follow suit, even where a 
trump is led, unless all the dominoes have been taken from the table. But, 
when all the dominoes have been drawn and are in the players' hands, a 
lead made must be followed, and if the opposite party cannot follow suit 
he must trump, if he has any in hand ; and he is not allowed to throw 
aivay a poor domino not of suit And, at any stage of the g;ame, after a 



DOMINOES. 221 

player has taken one trick, if he thinks he can make seventy, he may 
turn down the trump domino. There is no more drawing after that, 
each party depending on the hand he holds, and suit must be followed or 
trumps played, precisely as though there were no dominoes left on the 
table. 

Should a player turn down and not make seventy, his adversary scores 
two points; and if his opponent had made no trick before he turned 
down and he loses, the opponent scores three. Should he make his 
seventy after he turns down, or without turning down, he counts one ; if 
before his opponent has made twenty, he counts two ; if before hi& oppo- 
nent has made two, he counts three. 

A player having two doubles in his hand, when it is his turn to play, 
may lead one of them and call " Double," and this adds twenty to his 
score ; if he have three doubles, " Triplet," and this adds forty ; if four, 
" Double Doublet," and this adds fifty; if five, *' King," and this adds 
sixty ; if six, *' Emperor," and this adds seventy, and so wins the point ; 
if seven doubles, it is an " Invincible," and takes three points. But if a 
double be taken, or be played without announcing it as one of a doublet, 
or whatever it may be, its value is lost. 

In counting, you reckon the doublets and triplets ; the double of trumps, 
which always counts twenty-eight, the double dominoes and the trump 
dominoes by the number of their spots, the blanks being considered to 
have seven spots ; the six-blank, double-five, and trey-blank always count- 
ing as ten, whether trumps or not ; and the doublet, or triplet, of which 
Bingo is one, counting ten more than its natural value, if announced as 
Bingo when the doublet or triplet is claimed. 

The Bingo is double-blank and is always highest, and takes any other 
piece, no matter what is trump. Its natural value in counting is fourteen, 
unless it is trump, when, like all double trumps, it counts as twenty- 
eight. 

If the double of trumps be taken by Bingo, it scores a point for the 
party who takes it. 

After the first hand has been played, the winner leads in the next hand. 

THREE-HANDED BINGO. 

This is played under the same rules as the two-handed game, but it is 
peculiar in this, that only two out of the three play at a time, one giving 
v^ray to each hand. But the one not playing scores to himself the samt 
points as the one who wins the hand. To give an example : 

A, B, and C sit down to play. A does not play, but B and C do, antf 
B makes one point. The score stands : A, i ; B, i ; C, o. B now 



222 DOMINOES. 

gfives way, A and C play, and C makes two points. The score now 
stands : A, i ; B, 3 ; C, 2 — the two points won by C being carried to the 
score of the non-playing B. In the next hand C is out, and A and B 
play. B makes one point. The score now is : A, i ; B, 4 ; C, 3. A is 
now out, and B and C play. C makes three points. The score now 
stands : A, 4 ; B, 4 ; C, 6. B is now out, and A and C p\ay. C makes 
one point, and g03s out. The score now stands : A, 4 ; B, 5. A and 
B now play it through. A makes two points, and the score stands : A, 6 ; 
B, 5. A turns down the trump ; but fails to make his seventy, and thus 
loses two, which puts B out. 

FOUR-HANDED BINGO. 

In this game all the dominoes are taken, and the one on the right of 
the leader turns up for trump, and plays that domino as one of his own 
when he wants it. Suit must be followed, or trump played in case of 
being out of suits, all the dominoes being in hand. 

ROUNCE. 

This may be played by two, three, or four. The value of the pieces 
range downward from six ; doubles are the best of each suit, and trumps 
superior to the other suits. At the beginning the parties throw for position, 
and the one turning the highest piece is trump-holder for that hand. The 
dominoes having been now reshuffled, each player draws five, and the 
player at the right of the trump-holder turns a piece for trump. The 
highest number is the trump for that hand. When two or three play 
there are two dummies on the board, of six pieces each, and when four 
play, one dummy of seven pieces. The player to the left can now either 
discard his pieces and take a dummy, or pass. If he takes a dummy he 
must discard, so as to leave only five pieces in his hand. The next can 
take a dummy, and so on until exhausted. If any pass, the next hand 
has the privilege of the dummy left. The trump-holder, when it comes 
to his turn, may discard a single piece and take in the trump domino ; 
or, he may discard all and take up the dummy, in which case he leaves 
the trump on the table. The trump-holding passes to the left in suc- 
cession after the first hand. The score is fifteen, and as the game goes 
on each player wipes out one for every trick he holds. If a player fails 
to take a trick he is sent back five points and is said to be *' Rounced.'' 
Each player must follow suit, and if he has a trump in hand must lead It 
after he takes a trick. But if a player cannot follow suit, he is not 
obliged to trump it. 



DOMINOES. 222^ 



EUCHRE. 



This is played by four players. He who draws the highest piece obtains 
the lead, and the leader has the right (the dominoes having been re- 
shuffled) to draw the trump. Each party draws five dominoes. The 
double of trumps is Right Bower, the next lowest double is Left Bower. 
The value of pieces after that depends upon the spots, following the 
trumps. Thus, if six be trump, double-six is Right Bower, double-five is 
Left Bower, six-five next, six- four next, and so on down. But if blank 
be trump, then double-blank is Right Bower, double-six is Left Bower, 
blank-six next, blank-five next, and so on down. In the lay suits the 
value goes from the doubles down, thus : Double-ace, ace-six, ace-five, 
and so on. The left-hand player may now "pass " or " order it up." If 
he does not feel confident of making three tricks, he passes. Then the 
dealer's partner may pass it ; or, if he have strength enough, with the 
aid of the exposed trump, to take three tricks, he may '* assist," which is a 
direction to his partner to take it up. If taken up in any way, the party 
discards one from his hand, and the piece on the table belongs to hmi, 
and he takes it up and plays it when he needs it. If his partner passes, 
it goes to the third hand, who may order it up or pass. If he too passes 
then the dealer may "take it up" and discard one piece for it. Or ne 
may decline to take it up and throw down the trump. The eldest hand 
has now the privilege to make a new trump. If he decline he passes k 
to the next, and so on round to the dealer. If the dealer declines, "mcj 
"bunches" — turns his pieces face down on the table, the rest to do tne 
same ; the dominoes are shuffled, and the deal passes on to the next. 
But the lead follows the responsibility, and whoever orders up, takes up, 
or assists, always leads. When the lead is made, the one who takes the 
tricks leads, and so on through. The score is five. A party who takes 
it up, orders up, assists, or makes a trump, must take three tricks, which 
counts his side one, or if not, he is euchred, and the opposite side counts 
two on its score. 

If his side takes all the tricks, it is a " march," and counts two. If any 
one has a hand strong enough, he may " go it alone," that is, play it 
without assistance of his partner, who puts down his hand; in which case, 
if he takes five tricks, he counts four. But he can only do this when he 
orders up, takes up, or assists. It involves personal responsibility. 
Hence, when a player " assists," his partner cannot "go it alone." Be- 
sides, the knowledge thus gained of the weakness of his opponents would 
g^ve him an unfair advantage. In playing, parties must follow suit if 



224 DOMINOES, 

they have it ; but they are not obliged to trump when they cannot fol* 
low suit. 

TWO-HANDED EUCHRE. 

The game may be played by two or three, with the same rules, but 
either is an inferior game. 

BERGEN. 

Two, three, or four may play at this, each drawing six, and the lowest 
double leads. This is a *' double-header" for the leader. After the first 
^ead, the players lead in turn from left to right. If no one has a double 
jvhen it is his turn to lead, he plays the lowest piece he has. The object 
is for each player to set down a piece that will make both extremities of 
ihe line the same and give him a double-header, or triple-header. Thus, 
if six-three, three-four, four-five, and five-ace be down in a line, and A, 
whose turn it is to play, has six-ace, he can lay it at either end, and thus 
have the line terminated with aces or sixes, in either case a double-header. 
If, however, B, who plays next, has a double of the same kind, and plays 
it at either end, it makes a triple-header. If a player be not able to 
match from his hand, he draws from the pack. If he can now play he 
does so : if not, the next plays, or, unable to do so, draws. The one who 
gets out first \/ins the hand. If it be blocked the lowest count wins, 
unless it contains a double, and his opponent has none, in which case the 
lowest of those without doubles win. If all have doubles, the one with 
the least double wins. When one holds two doubles, though they be the 
double-ace and double-blank, and his opponent holds but one double, 
though it be the double-six, the latter wins. The score is fifteen when 
two play, and ten when three or four. A won hand counts one ; a double- 
header, two ; a triple-header, three. But when the score is ten, and either 
party is seven, a triple-header only counts two, and, if eight, neither 
double-header nor triple-header counts them more than one. When the 
score is fifteen, and either party is twelve, the triple-header will count 
them but two, and if thirteen, neither double-header nor triple-header 
counts more than one. 

VINGT-UN. 

In this the deuce-blank, six-four, and spotted doubles count ten, and 
the all-blank, deuce-trey, trey-four, and five-six count either one or eleven, 
as a player elects. Each player puts up his stake, except the banker. 
The banker first draws two dominoes, the pack having been well shuffled, 
and then each draw two in turn — the banker turning up one domino, 
which is called the ** burnt-piece." The players now examine their 
hands, and the banker his. If the banker has a ** natural," that is, if hf 



DOMINOES. 225 

have a ten, and either of the pieces that count eleven, he shows it, and 
receives from each player double the amount ol his stake, except where 
the player can show a natural, when neither of those two take from the 
other. In the same way any or every player who has a natural shows it 
at once, and gets double stakes from the banker, unless the banker, too, 
has a natural, when it stands off. The dominoes are reshuffled and the 
players draw again. If a natural be shown by a player, and not by the 
banker, he becomes banker in turn, unless two or more show naturals, 
when the elder hand becomes banker. If no naturals are taken on the 
draw, the elder hand considers his play. If he is content to play at that, 
he says " content," and waits the show. If not, he takes one from the 
pack, or more, until he gets twenty-one, or as many pips as he desires. 
If he draw so many that it counts over twenty-one, he throws up his 
pieces when the show comes — having over-drawn, and loses his stake. 
After all have drawn the banker does so, or stands, as he chooses. If he 
over-draws, he pays each the amount of his stake, except those who have 
over-drawn. If he stands, he says, " I stand." The players show the 
faces of their pieces, and the banker the same. Those who have more 
pips in their hand than the dealer, receive the amount of their stcike from 
the bank, and those who have less, pay the bank. The pieces are re- 
shuffled, and the game goes on. 

POKER, OR BLUFF. 
The double-ace and all the blanks are discarded, leaving twenty pieces. 
The relative strength of hands is as follows : 

1. An Invincible — Five doubles, or four doubles and a six, which 
beats everything. 

2. A Straight Six — A sequence of sixes. 

3. Fours — Four doubles. 

4. A Straight Five— A sequence of fives. 

5. Full — Three doubles, and two of any number ; as the double of 
deuce, trey, and six, with a four-deuce and four-five. 

6. A Straight Four— A sequence of fours. 

7. Threes — Three doubles. 

8. A Flush — Five of a number not in sequence, as five-ace, five-d^uce, 
five-four, five-six, and double-five. 

9. A Pair — Two doubles. 

10. The highest leading dominoes : Thus, a hand led by a six would 
outrank a hand led by a five. But a double to lead makes the hand out- 
rank any hand of lay pieces. A hand led by a double-ace, for instance, 
would beat a hand led by six-five. 



1^26 DOMINOES. 

The pieces are shuffled, one piece is drawn by each player for deal — the 
highest piece winning, doubles being always higher than lay pieces. The 
pack being reshuffled, five pieces are drawn by each. An ante, or stake, 
as may be agreed on, is put up by each player in the " pot." The elder 
hand next the dealer examines his pieces. If his hand be indifferent, or 
he thinks he can excite the courage to bet of those who have a worse 
hand, he "passes," and it is the turn of the next in hand to determine 
what he will do. If, on the contrary, he thinks his hand justifies it, he 
bets a certain sum of money, and puts the amount in the pot, or pool. 
The next player can pass out, or " see it," that is, take the bet, or raise 
the bet higher. It thus goes round to the dealer. If the dealer bets 
higher, or any one else, it must be met, until the bets are even, when the 
last player calls for a sight of the cards, and the bet is determined. 
Should they all pass, there is a new deal by the elder hand, the stakes re- 
maining on the board, and everybody " antes " as before. This is called 
" a double-header." To illustrate by example : D is the dealer. They all 
draw. A leads, and bets a quarter, which is the same as the ante. B 
says, " I'll see it," and puts down a quarter. C says, ** I'll go a half bet- 
ter," and puts down seventy-five cents. D sees it, and puts down his 
seventy-five cents. A then, not being confident that his hand is strong 
enough, having neither pair nor sequence, passes out. B has a better 
hand, having a full — that is, double-five, double-six, and double-four, ace- 
three, and deuce-three, and believing this to be the best hand out, sees it, 
and goes a half better, putting down a dollar. C, having a straight-six, 
sees the last bet, and goes a dollar better. D, having only a pair, passes 
out, being content to lose what he has put in rather than risk the loss of 
more. B, confident in the strength of his full, puts down a dollar, and 
says, " I see it, and call you." This " call " is a demand for a show of 
hands. C shows his hand, which, being a straight-six, and outranking a 
full, he takes all the money. 

When there is no limit to the betting, the player with the most nerve 
and money may sometimes bet so high on a weak hand as to shake the 
confidence of his opponents, and make them abandon their hands. This 
is called " bluffing." 

A "blind " is abet made before any one has seen their dominoes, and 
is only the privilege of one to the right of the elder hand, nominally the 
dealer. In case he makes a blind the next may double it, the next strad- 
dle, the next double the straddle. But any player may pass the blind. 
If it be doubled, he must pass out unless he straddles. If, however, it be 
not doubled, any player may put as much in as the blind, and call it. If, 
however, any player, on looking at his hand, determines to "see" the 



I 



DOMINOES, 22J 

blind, he can do so by making the blind good — that is, depositing in the 
pool the amount of the blind. The one who made the blind, in case it is 
doubled, straddled, and double-straddled, must raise his bet to the 
amount of the last double-straddle in order to come in. In seeing the 
blind, a man can go it better — that is, bet higher to any amount he pleases. 

QUINZE. 

This is a game for two players ; three may play. The deal is decided 
by drawing the highest domino. The non-dealer, or eldest.hand, shuffles 
the dominoes ; the dealer then arranges them in single file ; the youngest 
hand, if three are playing ; if not, the non-dealer, cuts them (as at Vingt^ 
et'Un) by removing a number of dominoes from either end to the other. 
The dealer then gives one to his adversaries and one to himself. He asks 
if each are " content." If not, he deals one more round, and takes one, 
if he thinks proper, himself. This is repeated until all are " content." 
The dominoes are shown, and those at fifteen, or nearest to it, but below 
it, win. Those who are "burnt," i*. ^., draw above fifteen, forfeit a 
single stake to the pool ; if all the players are burnt, the game is drawn, 
and fresh stakes are put into the pool, to be decided by the next game. 
The best dominoes to draw first time are 6, 7, 8, or 9. The latter is particu- 
larly good. If two dominoes make nine, always demand a third. At 
ten the ground becomes dangerous, and at eleven it is better to stand 
than draw. If you hold either double-six or six-five at first be " content," 
and stand. The game is simply one of chance, and is a fair substitute 
for two players for Vingt-et-un. 

SEBASTOPOL. 

This game is played with a whole set of dominoes, which are equally 
divided amongst the four players. The pool is formed by an equal con- 
tribution from each player. 

The pose or lead is taken by the person holding the double-six, and 
the game then goes round in the ordinary way, each player playing a six, 
which is placed at right angles with the double-six, so as to form four 
ends to play to instead of two. After the cross is made and those not 
able to play a six lose their turn, the players may place their dominoes at 
whichever comer they fancy, and whichever suits their hand the best. 
The one who has the last domino, or who has the greatest number of 
dots, pays forfeit. The one who is first out takes three parts of the pool, 
the other two receive back their stakes, the forfeit being equal to the stake 
of one player. 



228 DOMINOES, 

The peculiar appearance which this game presents is shown in the zig- 
zag and eccentric form which the ground plan of a fortress presents. 

The principal points to be observed in play are : — i. To play the 
doubles at the earliest opportunity, which should be placed crosswise. 
2. To watch every comer with a view of getting out the heavier domi- 
noes. It is rather a rough-and-ready game than a scientific one. It wants 
a quick eye rather than calculation. 

MALAKOFF. 

In the restricted game which I have termed the **Malakoff " an ele- 
ment of uncertainty is introduced by three dominoes being left on the table ; 
six dominoes only being taken by each player. The double-six is laid 
down irrespective of any one's hand, and each player must play a six to 
it or lose his turn. The one who plays the heaviest domino is the elder 
hand ; and the game then proceeds in the usual way, playing, as in the 
previous game, to each comer, according to fancy. This game requires 
more consideration than when all the dominoes are out, and it is, per- 
haps, the original game, which we know by the name of Sebastopol. 

With respect to the pool, the player last out, or who has the greatest 
number of pips, pays forfeit, and the one first out takes it ; but it is best 
to play five games, and let the one who wins the greater number of games 
take the stakes. 

TIDLEY-WINK. 

This is one of the best round games of dominoes. Four, six, or eight 
persons can play with a set of double-sixes. If a larger party than eight 
wish to play, then double-nines must be used. 

Each player draws three dominoes at starting, and the one who has the 
highest double leads. The mode of procedure is this ; Each player takes 
the three dominoes and holds them in his hand ; the double-six or double' 
nine is called for ; if no response, the next highest double, and then the 
game commences in earnest ; the left-hand player plays next, and so on 
round the table, he mentioning the numbers played. Thus, five-four, 
six-one, and so on ; for, whatever the domino played, it must be played 
to. The player who cannot go loses his turn. The marked difference 
between Tidley-wink and other games of dominoes is this : that every 
person who plays a double has a right of playing to it if he can do so. 
Thus, the one who has the highest double, say double-six, can play again to 
it if he has another six in his hand. The like privilege is accorded to every 
person who has a double. The one who first plays out aU his dominoes 
calls '* Tidley-wink," and claims the pool. 



DOMINOES, 22^) 



SPECULATION. 

An excellent round game may be played with dominoes and counters 
thus : Three dominoes are given to each player by the dealer, who is first 
chosen by drawing the highest double ; or, in default of a double being 
drawn, the highest domino from the table. The pool is formed by each 
player placing a counter, as his stake, to the high pool, and the dealer 
pays three counters to the low pool. The winning domino is the highest 
of the numbers of the fourth domino turned up by the dealer. If it is a 
double, the holder takes both pools ; if it is not a double, then the highest 
domino of each number takes the high and low pool respectively. Thus, 
if there is a large party, a box of double-nines must be used ; and if the 
domino turned up is nine-eight, the double-nine and double-eight are the 
winning dominoes ; but if neither are out, the holder takes the high pool, 
and the holder of eight-blank, or the lowest eight, the low pool. If, how- 
ever, the turn-up is eight-blank, the double-blank would take the low pool, 
and the double-eight the high pool— the lowest denomination of the low 
number and the highest domino of the larger number being the winner. 
The mode of play is similar to the game of Speculation at cards ; the 
holder, either by purchase or otherwise, of the turn-up, is the eldest 
hand, and his left-hand player turns up one of his or her dominoes. If 
it has a higher or lower number than the turn-up, it is purchasable, and 
becomes a matter of speculation. If not, the next player proceeds to 
show one domino, and so on, one domino at a time, until the winners are 
determined. Some fun is made out of the purchase of various dominoes ; 
and it should be remembered that the purchaser of the best domino out 
becomes the eldest hand, and the next eldest goes on with the play. 
Doubles usually forfeit one to the low pool. 

A simpler form of Speculation is to have no low pool whatever, and 
simply play for the highest domino out. In this case the holder of double- 
nine or double-six is the winner, according to the dominoes played with ; 
and nine-blank or six-blank holds the winning place over double-eight oi 
double-five, as the case may be. 



TERMS USED IN DOMINOES. 

BLOCK GAME. 

Block. — An impossibility for either party while yet having pieces is 
hand to play. 



230 DOMINOES, 

Domino. — The word to announce the playing of the last piece in 
hand. 

DRAW GAME. 

Draw. — To take sufficient pieces to enable the player to match one 
exposed end. 

MUGGINS. 

Forfeit.— The loss of any amount made in playing from failure ta 
demand it. 

Five. — The five and blank, four and ace, or trey and deuce at separate 
ends, or the five-blank, four-ace, or trey-deuce led. 

Ten. — The double-five and blank, five and five, or six and four at each 
end, or the double-five or six-four led. 

Fifteen. — The five and double-five, or the double-six and three at 
separate ends. 

Twenty. — The double-six at one end, and the double-four at the 
other. 

Muggins. — The word to announce the playing of the last piece in 

hand. 

BINGO. 
Bingo.— Double-blank. 

Bingo — The word to announce the possession of the double-blank. 

Double. — Two doubles in one hand. 

Double-Doublet. — Four doubles in one hand. 

Emperor. — Six doubles in one hand. 

Invincible. — Seven doubles in one hand. 

Forfeit. — The addition of a point to your score for improper conduct 

on the part of your opponent. 

King. — ^Five doubles in one hand. 

Triplet. — Three doubles in one hand. 

EUCHRE. 

Adopt. — To exchange the trump-piece for an inferior one, by the 
dealer, after every one has passed. 

Alone. — To play without your partner, when you have a hand that 
will probably take five tricks. 

Assist. — To order your partner to take up the trump, and discard 
some other piece. 

Bowers. — The double of trumps, and the next double below. 

Bridge. — When one side has four, and the other one or two. 

Call. — The right to demand the play of an exposed piece. 



DOMINOES, 23 T 

Cross the Suit. — To make a trump not of the next below tlie suit 
turned down. 

Dealer. — The one who turns up the trump. 

Discard. — Putting a piece back in the pack when the trump card is 
adopted. 

DUTCHING It. — To make your trump of the suit next below the one 
lumed down. 

Elder Hand. — The one to the left of dealer. 

Euchre. — The failure of one who orders up, takes up, assists, or 
makes a trump, to secure three tricks. 

Finesse. — When a player who holds the best and third best trump, 
plays the latter first, on the risk that his partner holds the second best, 
and his opponents do not. 

Force. — To lead a suit in which your opponents are deficient, in ordef 
to make them put a trump on it, or lose the trick. 

Forfeit. — The amount scored for information against the party, or 
for a revoke. 

Go IT Alone. — To play it alone. 

Guarded. — Having a strong piece behind your trumps. 

Left Bower. — The double next below the double of trumps. 

Left Bower Guarded. — The left bower protected by another trump, 
or a commanding lay piece. — 

Lone Hand. — A hand that is so strong as to probably take five tricks 
If played alone. 

Lone Player. — The one who plays without his partner's aid 

Making a Point. — Where the party taking up, ordering up, ♦ssisting, 
or making a trump, wins three tricks. 

Making a Trump. — Naming a new trump when the dealer ^-is turned 
the trump down. 

March. — All the tricks made by one side. 

Next in Suit.— The same as dutching it. 

Odd Trick.— The third trick won by a side. 

Ordering Up. — Requiring your opponent to play the trump a^ turned 
up. 

Pass. — To decline to exercise the privilege of taking up, ordering up, 
or assisting. 

Pass Again. — To decline to make a trump. 

Play Alone. — To play one's hand without one's partner. 

Rank. — The pieces rank from the highest double down through thf 
next highest double, to the lowest piec^ itt UJ^mps, and from the higWes* 
rouble down in the lay suits. 



232 DOMINOES. 

Responsible Party. — The one who takes it up, orders up, assists, or 
makes a trump. 

Right Bower. — The double of trumps. 

Right Bower Followed. — The double of trumps, accompanied by 
another trump. 

Ruff. — To trump a lay suit. 

Taking it Up.— The assuming the trump by the dealer, and discard- 
ing another piece in exchange for it, after all passed. 

Tenace.— When the player holds the best and third best of the pieces out. 

TtteN-DowN. — The trump-piece turned down. 

Under Play. — To follow suit with a low card, when you hare one in 
hand higher than your opponent's. 

BERGEN. 

Double-He ADER. — A double played out at first, or each of the two ex* 
tremities of the line of pieces having the same number of pips. 

Triple-Header. — A double at one end of the line of pieces played, 
and the same suit at the other. 

VINGT-UN. 

Bank. — The stakes put up. 

Banker. — The one against whom the rest play, 

Burnt-Piece. — The piece turned up. 

Dealer. — The banker. 

Natural. — Twenty-one drawn in two pieces. 

Standing. — Remaining content with a hand drawn. 

ROUNCE. 

Dummy. — The reserved set of pieces. 

Rounced. — Left without a trick. 

Trump-Holder.— The one who draws the highest trump at the begin« 

ning of a round. 

POKER. 

Ante. — The stake of each player placed in the pot at the beginning ol 
the game. 
Ante Up. — To place the stake in the pot. 
Blind. — A bet made by the dealer before the pieces are drawn. 
Bluffing. — Betting high on a poor hand. 
Call. — To demand a show of hands. 
Chip.— To bet. 
Chips. — Counters representing the stakes. 



DOMINOES^ 233 

Double-Header. — ^A double pot — ^the stakes of two rounds. 

Flush. — Five of suit not in sequence. 

Fours. — Four doubles. 

Full. — Three doubles and a pair of lay-pieces. 

Going it Better. — Betting higher than your opponent. 

Going it Blind.— Making a blind. 

Invincible.— Five doubles, or four doubles and a six. 

Lay Piece. — Any piece except a double. 

Pair. — Two doubles ; but when part of a full, two of any suit. 

Pass.— To decline to bet. 

Pile. — All the money of a player. 

Pool.— The stakes. 

Pot. — The stakes first put up. 

See.— To accept a bet. 

Show. — The display of a hand, or hands. 

Sight. — The right of a player making the first bet, when his opponent 
bets too high for him, and when he has put up all his pile, to call for 9 
show of the hand. 

Straddle.— To double a blind. 

Straight. — A sequence of five of the same suit. 

Triple-Header. — A threefold pot. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 
Count. — The amount of gains at any stage of a game. 
Count. — To reckon the game. 

Dealer. — The one to the right of the leader, in general, though, in 
dominoes, no one really deals. 
Decline Suit. — To be unable to play the suit led by your opponent. 
Double. — A piece having on it two sets of pips of the same kind. 
Draw. — To take the number of pieces to which a player is entitled. 
Faced Piece. — A piece with its face exposed in shuffling or drawing. 
Follow Suit.— To play the same suit as that led by your opponent. 
Game. — When a party makes his required points before his opponent. 
Hand. — The pieces drawn by each player. 
Head. — The best piece in hand. 

Information.— Unlawful indication to your partner how to play. 
Lay- Piece. — Any piece except trump. 
Lay-Suit. — Any suit not trump. 
Lead. — The first piece played. 
Leader. — The one whose turn it is to play first. 
Match. — To play a piece with the same suit as the one to be played ta 



234 DOMINOES, 

Making Game. — Counting the game. 

MiSDRAW. — Under-drawing, or over-drawing, the number of pieces to 
which a player is entitled. 

Numerical Pieces. — Those not doubles. 

Pack. — All the dominoes used in a game. 

Partner. — The one joined with you in playing against an opponent 

Pips. — The spots on the pieces. 

Point. — One of the amount required for the game. 

Pool.— The stakes. 

Revoke. — Playing the wrong suit. 

Round. — All the pieces in a trick. 

Rubber. — The best two in three games. 

Ruff. — To trump a lay suit. 

Say. — The turn of a player to pass, play, or do any p^rtici^lar thing. 

Score. — The amount required fOr the game ; also, the amount gained 
by each player. 

Shuffle. — To mix the pieces face down. 

Spots. — Marks on the dominoes. 

Suit. — Each separate set of pieces of any one numbei of 4)ips 

Throwing Up. — Abandoning one's hand. 

Trump. — The commanding suit. 

Trump-Piece. — The piece turned up for trump, 

Turn-Down. — To reverse an exposed piece. 

Turn-Up. — The trump-piece. 



RULES 



BLOCK. 

Rule i. — ^Where it is in doubt whose turn it is to lead the players diraw^ 
and the highest double leads. 

Rule 2. — Where a misplay has been made, and not discovered before 
three subsequent pieces have been played, it cannot be corrected. 

Rule 3. — A party having four of a suit, should lead off with the od'i 
piece, not of the prevailing suit. 

DRAW. 
Rule i. — A party who draws when he can match, if he be discovered, 
forfeits the count. 



DOMINOES, 235 

Rule 2. — A party, not having the piece to match an exposed end, cai 
draw all the pieces on the table, unless otherwise agreed on, 

MUGGINS. 

Rule i. — When a party in lead has five-blank and foter-ace, or trey^ 
deuce, never lead the five-blank, as it gives an opportunity for your op< 
Donent, in case he has the double-five, to make ten to your five. Except 
tion : When you have also the double-blank, for in that case you follovj 
his ten by making another. 

Rule 2. — Never lead a double-six after the first lead, unless you hold 
the six-trey in your own hand. 

Rule 3. — You cannot draw on after you have obtained a piece that 
will match, unless you are a scamp. 

Rule 4. — Always make a block, if possible, when your pieces in hand 
have few spots, and there are as many pieces as yours on the table, which 
your opponent must draw. This you can determine, however, by examin- 
ing the pieces on the table, which, with an inspection of those in your 
hand, will tell you the number of points on the rest. 

Rule 5.— If anything be made by a set, it is lost if not claimed before 
the next player has matched. 

BINGO. 

Rule i. — Avoid playing a piece which leaves in your hand but one ten, 
lest you have to lose it to an eleven. 

Rule 2.- -The blank-four and six-five are elevens when blank, six, five 
or four are trumps, though they count nothing, and take the six-four, 
double-five, and trey-blank respectively. The six-five, when either six of 
five is trumps, takes the six-four, when it can be played on it, and th« 
blank-four, when blank is trump, takes either of the others. 

Rule 3. — When certain of sixty, turn down the trump as quickly aJ 
possible. 

Rule 4. — Keep your opponent's score in your mind as well as your own. 

Rule 5. — Keep a single double in your hand as long as possible, so 
that if you draw another from the pack you may call a doublet. 

Rule 6. — You cannot call your doubles until it is your turn to play. 

Rule 7. — You cannot turn down until you have a trick in hand, 

ROUNCE. 

Rule a. — If a player can follow suit it Js imperative, but he is nol 
obliered to trump. 



236 DOMINOES. 



EUCHRE. 

Rm € I.— You can only play it alone when you take it op, order \i^^ 

assist, or go it alone. 

Ru;..E 2. — ^When the elder hand passes, and his partner offers to go it 
alone, fie must put his pieces down and go out. 

Rt^LE 3. — You must never expose the faces of your pieces when your 
partner goes it alone. 

Rule 4. — A player going it alone must announce his intention in plain 
words— such as, *' I play alone," or, *' Alone," or, ** I go it," or, ** I try it." 

Rule 5. — A euchre on a lone player only counts two, as any othe? 
euchre. 

Rule 6. — Never order up unless you are quite sure you can take three 
tricks. 

Rule 7. — ^When you are at the bridge, your opponents having one ot 
two, order it up whether you have trump or not, unless you have a trump 
to certainly make one trick. 

Rule 8. — If your right-hand opponent plays a piece out of turn, 01 
show its face, you can call on him to lead it when his turn comes, and 
that suit is required by you, whether he like to do it or not ; and should 
he refusii, you add two to your score. 

Rule 9. — Should your partner pass, or turn down, and it comes to you 
to make a trump, you do it in any suit except the one not lower in num- 
ber than that turned down. The only exception is when you have three 
tricks certain in the objectionable suit. 

Rule 10. — When you make a trump after your opponent turns down, 
you fix on the next lowest, unless you have a commanding hand in an- 
other. 

Rule ii. — In case of a misdraw by your opponent, you can have a 
new shuffle and draw if you demand it ; but you do not thereby lose your 
deal ; nor if the misdraw be by yourself or partner, do you lose the deal. 
But, if the pieces have not been examined, he may discard the super 
fluous ones. 

Rule 12.— The dealer can demand a new shuffle and draw if an oppo- 
nent shows a piece before he looks at his own pieces. 

Rule 13. — ^You must always discard your piece with the face down. 

Rule 14. — Discard so as to give yourself a chance to trump. Thus, 
if sixes should be trumps, and you have turned up the double-six, and 
have the double-five and six-ace as your trumps, and double-four, ace- 
deuce, and ace-five as your Jay pieces, discard the double-four, as it givesf 
you a chance to trump fours with your weak trump. 



DOMINOES, 2i^J 

Rule 15. — If the eldest hand plays before the discarded piece has left 
the hand, the dealer may substitute another piece, the discard not being 
complete until the piece is on the table. 

Rule 16. — The penalty for indicating to your partner how to play is 
the addition of one point to your opponent's score. But your partnei 
may ask you to draw the last piece you played before the trick i? taken 
up, or inquire what is trumps. 

Rule 17. — A player making the trump cannot change the suit aftei 
having once made it. 

Rule 18. — A player making the trump, who names by mistake or oth- 
erwise the suit already turned down, passes his right to make a trump to 
the next in hand. 

Rule 19. — When a player revokes, his opponents add two to their 
score. 

Rule 20. — A revoke is incomplete until the next play is made. 

Rule 21. — A revoke maybe corrected, but the piece exposed can be 
called like any other exposed piece ; and if the revoker's partner have 
played his piece it is in the condition of an exposed piece, but the one 
played by his opponent is not. 

Rule 22. — When a revoke is claimed, if the revoker, or his partner, 
thrO|^ up their pieces, it is a confession of the revoke. 

Rule 23. — If the revoke is on both sides, there is no forfeit, but a 
new deal. 

Rule 24. — A revoke is not to be claimed after a new deal has been 
turned up for. 

Rule 25 —The trump-piece must remain on the table until required^ 
for play. 

BERGEN. 

Rule i. — One only Lu.n be drawn at a time from the pack, before the 
opponent has a chance to play or draw. 

Rule 2. — Retain the doubles in hand as long as possible for triple- 
headers. 

VINGT-UN. 

Rule i. — The position of banker is first held by the one who draws the 
highest piece — but a double is always higher than a lay-piece — double- 
blank in the draw beating six-five. 

Rule 2. — The two pieces first drawn must remain face down until 
proclaimed, but the cards drawn afterward are drawn face up. 

Rule 3. — All bets are made before the pieces are drawn. 



238 



DOMINOES. 



Rule 4. — A misdraw can be corrected after the pieces have been e* 

amined, and the player loses. 

Rule 5. — A player having drawn two of a kind, may draw to each, 
but he pays, or receives a single stake on each, having thus two hands. 

Rule 6. — The holder of a natural wins the next deal. If there be two 
naturals, the elder hand wins. But the banker continues until the pack 
is exhausted, and after, if it be necessary, until the hands are full. 

Rule 7. — The player who over-draws must at once say so, and pay up. 

Rule 8. — Ties stand off. 

Rule 9. — ^After a stake has been put up it cannot be withdrawn. 

POKER. 
Rule i. — Any player can see the blind, and run over it in his turn. 
Rule 2.— The eldest hand only has the privilege of a blind, and cam 
not pass the right to another. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 
Rule 1. — The act or misconduct of one partner binds another. 
Rule 2.— Every player has a right to a shuffle in turn if he chooses 

DOMINO LOO. 

The players play as at Loo, the hand consisting of five pieces. The 
dealer turns up trumps. Unless a double is turned, the end having the 
greatest number of pips makes the trump suit. The pieces rank: 
Trump suit, which takes other suits; six suit; five suit, etc., down to 
blank suit. The double is the highest piece of each suit. The domino 
with the largest number of pips at its non-suit end takes pieces of 
the same suit with a smaller number. The leader to each trick an- 
nounces suit when he leads. For instance, if he leads 5-4 and an- 
nounces 5-4, five is the suit; while if he announces 4-5, four is the 
suit. If a trump is led the trump suit must be called. 

The leader plays and his adversary plays to it, the two dominoes 
constituting a trick. The winner of the trick then leads. 

The rules of play: If you have two trumps in hand, lead one, or, if 
not, any piece; after winning a trick, if you are able, lead a trump; if 
able, follow suit. A player is not forced to win a trick if he can 
legitimately play a losing piece. If a player is dissatisfied with his 
hand, he can discard it and take six new dominoes. He can, if he 
wishes to, discard one piece, making his hand five pieces. The dealer 
can exchange a piece for the turn-up or he can discard his hand, but 
he cannot do both. 



DOMINOES, 239 

A trick scores a point, and fifteen points constitute a game. A player 
is looed if he does not lake any of the five tricks, and is set back five 
points. 

The game can be played by three or four players. With three in the 
game, there are two misses, of six pieces each, allowed. With four play- 
ing there is but one miss of seven pieces, two being discarded. The 
score may be arranged as for two players. The better plan is to form a 
pool. If played with a pool, each hand is a complete game. Each player 
contributes to a pool that is divisible by five, the dealer putting in double 
the sum added by the other players. Each player gets one-fifth the 
amount of the pool for each trick. If a player fails to take a trick, he 
is looed and must put into the next pool the amount of the last pool. 
Into the new pool the dealer puts half the sum he placed in the last 
pool, while the other players add nothing. To prevent the accumulation 
of large pools, no player can be looed for more than twenty with three 
players and twenty-five with four. 

Each player has the right to pass without taking a miss, in which 
case he loses the sum he contributed to the pool, and cannot be looed. 
He must declare his intention. If all pass but one and the dealer also 
wishes to pass, or if no miss remains, he must play his hand for the 
pool. All tricks he wins in this case go to the pool and he cannot be 
looed. He must declare his purpose or he will be considered as playing 
for himself. If all pass to the dealer he takes the pool. 

MATADORE. 

In this game there are four pieces, called Matadores — the Double- 
Blank, Six-One, Five-Two, and Four-Three. In the game each takes 
three pieces and the leader poses. His adversary must match with a 
piece containing the complement of seven at one end of the pieces posed. 
In other words, he must play Six to One, Five to Two, or Four to Three. 
Doubles count only the number of pips at one end. 

The Matadores may be played to any number posed with either end to 
either end, whether they match or not. While the Matadore can be 
played to any number, any number cannot be played to a Matadore. 
The opposing player must play a piece making seven with one end of the 
Matadore. The player of the Matadore can place it as he pleases, and 
the opposing player can play only to the exposed end. 

A player unable to match or pose a Matadore must draw until he can 
do one or the other. In case he can match or pose he can draw or not 
as he pleases, just as is the case in the Draw game. When the stack is 
exhausted and a player cannot play, he calls **go," and his adversary 



240 DOMINOED. 

must play if he can match. In scoring doubles, count the pips on each 
end. The mode of scoring and leading is the same as in the Block 
game. 

Two, three, or four persons may play this game. When two play, three 
pieces must be left undrawn, so that each player will not know just what 
is in the other's hand. With more than two all the dominoes can be 
drawn. In other respects the game is like the Draw and Block games. 

DOMINO POOL. 

Domino Pool can be played by three or more players. With three, 
six pieces are drawn; four, five pieces; six, three pieces. Each player 
contributes an equal sum to the pool. The leader poses and the player 
to the left follows suit. If he cannot he passes, and so until a play can 
be made. The game continues in this way until some player makes 
domino or all are blocked. In such cases the player making domino or 
holding the smallest number of pips clears the pool. If two players are 
equal the pool is divided. 

Another way to score is to set loo or more as the game. Then a record 
is kept of each hand. Each player as he i caches loo passes out, the last 
player being the winner of the pot. The first player to go out is per- 
mitted to "star," that is, to pay a certain sum to the pool, upon which 
his score is put back even with the next highest player. With four play- 
ing, the first two to go out are sometimes permitted to "star." A 
"draw" is at times permitted; a player not being able to follow suit is 
allowed to draw one domino from the stock, with this qualification, that 
the last two dominoes cannot be drawn. 

uOMINO WHIST. 

Domino Whist is played by four persons and is played after the manner 
of Whist. In one form of the game the twenty-eight dominoes are drawn 
in the beginning, but the more interesting way is for each player to take 
six, four remaining in reserve. When partners are selected they are 
drawn for, and the two drawing the smallest number of pips are partners. 

After the pose the game is played from left to right. When a player 
cannot match at either end of the figure, he passes, forfeiting his turn. 

The best method of scoring is for the pair holding the smaller num- 
ber of pips to score the aggregate number in the hands of their adver- 
saries. 

A player should pay strict attention to the "pose" of the dominoes, 
so that, if it be possible, he can outwit his opponents and aid his partner. 



D0MIN9ES. 241 

It is always better to get rid of the "heavy dominoes,'* unless by so doing 
one is playing into his adversary's suit. When a player has a good 
hand and it is his lead, he must try to win, regardless of his partner's 
pose; so if the first player has a poor hand and it is his partner's pose, 
he must sacrifice his chances to aid his partner. It is always wise to 
play from your strong suit, thus keeping your partner informed, while 
the partner will display his suit and help to establish the first to the best 
of his ability. 

DOMINO DRAW POOL. 

This game is a variation of Domino Pool and is considered to be a 
better game than the latter. The rules are the same, except that in this 
game, if a player cannot match, he is obliged to draw one domino from 
the stock, after which, if he is unable to match, he passes. Two domi- 
noes must be left in the stock in this as in other draw games. 

ALL-THREES. 

All-Threes is a variation of "Muggins," the only difference being that 
three and its multiple score, instead of five. The opportunities for scor- 
ing in this game being so much greater than, in the other, stricter at- 
tention is required of the player. It is better to make the game a higher 
number than that used in Muggins. Three, six, nine, twelve, fifteen, and 
eighteen are the scoring numbers in this, and count one, two, three, four, 
five, and six. The highest score is eighteen. 

CYPRUS. 

In this variation of the Block game a double-nine set at least must be 
used. Four players or more may play, and the dominoes must be posed 
in the form of a star. The holder of the double-nine — or, if double- 
twelves are used, the double-twelve — has the right to pose and must 
put down that domino. In the first round each player must play a nine 
or pass. When the star is formed there will be eight ends to match in 
continuing the play, any of which may be carried on, irrespective of the 
state of the others. It is not essential that the star be completed before 
the other ends are begun, for the necessary dominoes of the first suit 
"posed" may still be in the "reserve." 

If four players are in the game, each should take thirteen dominoes, 
leaving three in reserve; when five or six play, eleven and nine dominoes 
make the hand; seven players, seven dominoes; eight or nine, six; ten, 
five; and when double-twelves are used the division can be according to 
the same rule. 



ALL-FOURS. 



The name All-fours is derived from the characteristics of the game 
itself — the four chances or points consisting- of high^ the name given to 
the best trump ; low^ the designation of the smallest trump played in the 
round ; jack^ the knave of the trump suit ; and game. 

All-fours is probably the oldest of American games, and came to the 
New World when the first Dutchman settled in New Amsterdam. 

There are two distinct varieties of All-fours, in one of which the first 
card played by the non-dealer from his hand is the trump ; and in the 
other, the trump is turned up from the pack. The last is known generally 
as All-fours — ^in fact as Blind All-fours. Certain terms are common to 
both games, the general characteristics being similar. 

TERMS USED IN THE GAME. 

High. — The highest trump out ; the holder scores one point. 

Low. — The lowest trump out ; the original holder scores one point, even 
if it be taken by his adversary. 

Jack. — The knave of trumps. The holder scores one point, unless it be 
won by his adversary, in which case the winner scores the point. 

Game. — The greatest number that, in the tricks gained, can be shown by 
either party ; reckoning for — 

Each ace four toward game. 
" ^s:mz three " " 
" queen two ** " 
^* knave one ** •* 
^* t^-^ten ** " 

The other cards do not count toward game ; thus it may happen that s 
deal may be played without either party having any to score for game, by 
reason of his holding neither court-cards nor tens. In such a case, or in 
case of equal numbers— ties — the elder hand, the non-dealer, scores tJ^e 
point for game. 

Note: All-fours is known under other names, such as Old Sledge 
and Seven-up. In the South it is almost as popular under these names 
as poker. Negroes play it and like it better than poker. A modifica- 
tion is sometimes known as '*Five-up." Five-up is played in the same 
way, but the first player to make five points wins the game. 

(242) 



ALL-FOURS. 243 

Begging is when the elder hand, disliking his cards, uses his privifegCj 
and says, "I beg": in which case the dealer must either suffer his ad- 
versary to score one point, saying, " Take one," or give each three cards 
more from the pack, and then turn up the next card, the seventh, foj 
trumps ; if, however, the trump turned up be of the same suit as the first, 
the dealer must go on, giving each three cards more, and turning up the 
seventh, until a change of suit for trump takes place. 

METHOD OF PLAYING ALL-FOURS. 

The game is played with a full pack of fifty-two cards, which take Fank 
as at Whist, the ace being the highest and the deuce the lowest. Any 
number of points may be played for ; but it is common to fix on an un- 
even number, as five, seven, nine, or eleven ; the last two being most 
common. 

The players cut for deal, the lowest card having the deal. As in Whist 
and other games, the ace is lowest and the king highest ; the other cards 
taking their regular order. Ties cut again. The dealer then gives six 
cards to each, one at a time, and turns up the thirteenth, if there be two 
players ; and the twenty-fifth if there be four. The turn-up is the trump. 
The non-dealer then looks over his hand, and either holds it for play or 
begs, as already explained. If the knave turn up it belongs to the dealer, 
who scores one for it ; but in case it be taken in play by a higher card — •- 
ace, king, or queen of trumps — then the point is scored by the winner. 
The non-dealer having decided on his hand (it is not allowed to "beg" 
-*«ore than once, without it be previously agreed to do so), he plays a 
-;ard of any suit. Then the dealer plays another card to this, and if 
'♦. be higher, he wins the trick, and plays another card ; and so on 
throughout the six tricks. It is not incumbent on the player to head the 
Tick with one of the same suit or a trump. When the whole of the tricks 
^re played out, the points are taken for high, low, jack, or game, as the 
•Ase may be. Thus one player may score a point for high and the other 
^r low ; the greatest number, counting on the court-cards, aces and tens 
'n each hand, reckoning for game. The winning the knave, the making 
^he tens, and the taking your adversary's best cards, constitute the science 
if the game. The hand in which the knave of trumps is eventually 
'ound, is the one which scores the point for the jack. The high and the 
•ow always belong to the original possessor of those trumps. 

LAWS OF ALL-FOURS. 
I. A new deal can be demanded, if in dealing an opponent's card is 
faced, or if the dealer in any way discover any of his adversary's cards ; 



244 ALL-FOURS. 

or if, to either party, too few or too many cards have been de&lt. In 
either case, it is optional with the players to have a new deal, provided 
no card has been played, but not afterward. 

2. If the dealer expose any of his own cards, the deal stands g^ood. 

3. No player can beg more than once in each hand, except by previous 
mutual agreement. 

4. Each player must trump or follow suit if he can, on penalty of his 
adversary scoring one point. 

5. If either player score wrongly, the score must be taken down, and 
the adversary shall either score four points or one, as may have previously 
been agreed. 

6. When a trump be played, it is allowable to ask the adversary if it 
be either high or low. 

7. One card may count All-fours ; for example, the eldest hand holds 
the knave, and stands his game ; the dealer having neither trump, ten, 
ace, nor court-card, it will follow that the knave will be both high, low, 
jack, and game. 

All-fours is played by either tw© or four players ; the same rules apply- 
ing in this four-handed, equally as in the two-handed game ; the deal is 
taken by each player alternately ; and the cut for deal taking place at the 
commencement of each game. 

BLIND ALL-FOURS. 

This is the more generally played game for two persons. In fact, it is 
the usual game all over the country, and cannot boast any veiy par- 
ticular patronage. Each player has six cards, the first one played by 
the non-dealer being the trump. There is no begging, and the points 
are usually seven or nine. Although very simple. All-fours is by no 
means an uninteresting game. At Blind All-fours some reject the sixes 
and sevens, and count all the pips on all the cards for game. 

The score is usually made with a cribbage-board, or by means of two 
cards taken from the pack. 

ALL-FIVES. 

This game is played with an entire pack, in the same way as All-fours. 
But instead of nine or eleven, sixty-one points are played for to constitute 
the game, which is marked on a cribbage-board. For ace of trumps the 
holder marks four points when he plays it ; for king of trumps, three : 
for queen, two ; for knave, one ; for the five of trumps, five ; and for the 
ten of trumps, ten. If the knave, ten, or five be taken in play by superioj; 



ALL-FOURS. 245 

cards, the points belonging to them are scored by the winner. Im count- 
ing for game, the five of trumps is reckoned as five, and all the other 
aces, kings, queens, knaves, and tens, are counted as in All-fours. A 
good deal of skill is necessary in order to play this game well ; the pro- 
ficient holding back a superior card to catch the ten or five. Trump after 
trick is not compulsory unless previously agreed to. The first card played 
by the non-dealer is the trump. The rest of the rules are the same as in 
All-fours. It may be played by four persons, either as partners or singly. 

COMMERCIAL PITCH. 

Commercial Pitch, known sometimes as *' Auction" or ** Auction 
Pitch," is All-fours, into which the element of bidding is introduced. 

The score is ten. Each player has a slate on which two St. Andrew's 
crosses are made. As he scores, he wipes out one portion of the cross. 

Deal is determined as in All-fours, six cards being given, three at a 
time. 

The dealer does not turn up a trump-card, for the trump is not made 
this way. The person who will give the most points buys the right to 
declare the trump, or as it is called, '* Pitching the trump." 

This bidding begins with the player after the elder hands, the second 
from the dealer. It is the elder hand who puts up the privilege of mak- 
ing the trump at auction. 

The elder hand, who is the seller, may not wish to accept the bid, and 
plays. All the points he can make then are, of course, his own. If, 
however, he does not make that number of points he was offered, he has 
added to his score just that number of points. Suppose he had ten 
p>oints, was offered three and declined the bid, then made two points. 
He would now have three more points added to his score, and he would 
have to work off thirteen points in all. The two he made would not 
count. If he had only one point to make to get out, and was bid three, 
and made two, he could not win, at least during that round. 

If the buyer fails to make the number of points his bid calls for, he is 
put back just that number. The rule works for him exactly as it did for 
the elder hand who declined selling. 

When a bid is accepted, the scoring must be made at once. 

The player wiping out his ten first wins the game. The points are as 
in All-fours, high, low, jack, and the giune, and subjected to the same 
rules. 

When a '* pitch " is sold the buyer must lead, and lead trumps. Leads 
are as in AJl-fours. If not able to follow suit, trumping is not compul- 



24^) ALL-FOURS. 

s©Fy. Rules in regard to revokes are the same as those governing 
All-fours. 

PITCH. 

This is All-fours reduced to its simplest expression. There are no 
trumps turned ; you do not beg, and it is the eldest hand who makes the 
trump. When ties are made, it is a stand-off. In every other respect it 
is played like All-fours. 

CALIFORNIA JACK. 

California Jack is a modification of All-fours. It is played with a fuU 
pack. Two or four players engage in the game. Deal is determined as 
in All-fours. Every player receives six cards, which are given two at a 
time, and when all are served, the remainder of the pack is placed face 
upward on the table, and the card exposed is the trump. The trump 
card having been seen and fixed upon, the dealer takes this trump card 
and puts it about in the middle of the packet. In some cases, the packet 
containing the trump is shuffled. This packet, called the stock, the 
faces of the cards being visible, is now put in the middle of the table. 

The elder hand now leads, and the game proceeds as in All-fours, 
values of cards being the same, only after each fall of two or four cards, 
if two or four are playing, and the trick is made, each player in his reg- 
ular order takes one card from the packet. 

There has been dealt six cards to each person, and by taking one more 
card the player has still six cards. 

This taking of cards from the packet continues until the cards on the 
table are exhausted. 

A card of the exposed stock is given by the dealer, first to the person 
making the trick, and then to the other players in regular order. 

Suits are followed. If a player has not the suit. He is not obliged to 
trump. Generally ten points count for a game, as in All-fours. 

Ace of trumps is High. 

Deuce of trumps .... is Low. 
Knave of trumps .... is Jack. 
The highest number of points is Game. 

Game is counted precisely as in All-fours. There is this exception t« 
All-fours, that the Low belongs to the person who makes it, or secures 
it in the trick. 



ALL^FOURS, 247 



SHASTA SAM. 

This game is precisely like California Jack, save that the trump being 
made as in California Jack, the stock is shuffled, placed face down, and 
the cards taken as in California Jack. There is in Shasta Sam more un- 
certainty than in CaHfornia Jack, as it is only the player who, receiving 
the card from the stock, knows what it is. 

RUSTLE. 

There are endless modifications of All-fours. There is a game in 
Montana called Rustle, where the first six cards given to each player are 
exposed, laid on the table, and as in California Jack, the trump is made 
from the card when the stock is turned. The remaining twenty-eight 
.cards are then dealt, which are seven to each. The score is made as in 
California Jack, the deuce low, belonging to the party who wins it. Rus- 
tle is by no means an easy game to play, as the twenty-four or twelve 
cards first played should be remembered. 

SANCHO PEDRO. 

Sancho Pedro can be played by any number of persons from two to 
eight, but is better adapted to four or five persons. Each plays for 
himself. 

A full Whist pack is used, and the cards rank in their natural order, 
viz. : ace, high ; deuce, low, etc. Six cards are dealt, three at a time to 
^ach player, commencing with the one at the left of the dealer. The 
•deal is determined by cutting, the lowest card winning the deal. No 
crump is turned. After the first deal it passes in regular order to the left. 

The player on the left of the dealer can then bid for the privilege of 
making the trump by offering one or more points to the dealer. (He 
may, of course, refuse to bid anything.) The player next in order then 
may bid, and so around, until the bidding ceases. Any player has the 
right to raise his original bid, or, having first refused, may bid when it 
again comes around to him ; the object of the dealer being to sell as high, 
and that of the other players to buy as low, as possible. 

When the highest bid has been reached the dealer may accept it, or 
refusing, make the trump himself. If he accepts, the amount bid is added 
to his score. If he refuses, and then fails to make as many points as the 
highest number offered, that number must be deducted from his score, 
and the points he did make are not credited to him. 

If the dealer accepts the highest bid, the player making that bid musf 



248 ALL-FOURS. 

make as many points as he offered, or be set back that number of points, 
and such points as he made are not credited to him. 

Any points made by the other players are, of course, credited to them. 

The player who makes the trump plays first, and must lead a trump. 

The points to be made are : High (the highest trump out), low (the 
lowest trump out), knave of trumps, and game (ten of trumps), which 
each count one point ; Sancho (nine of trumps)-, and Pedro (five of 
trumps), which count for their face — making a total of eighteen, which 
may all be made in one hand. These all count to the player holding 
them, after the hand is played out. 

The score should be kept by one person on a sheet of paper, with the 
names of the players at the top, and their scores underneath, thus adding 
or subtracting as they make or lose. The last figures in the columns 
will show the state of the game. 

The game is usually a hundred points, but may be varied as agreed 
upon. Some players begin at one hundred, and count down to nothing. 
In such a case a set-back should be added. It is also played with an 
indefinite score, the one counting highest at the end of play being de- 
clared the winner. 

If two players should both be ninety-nine, and both count out on the 
same hand, the points count in the order named ; that is, the one holding 
high takes the precedence, although the other may hold Sancho or Pedro. 

The dealer, having once refused a bid, cannot afterward accept it ; and 
a player having made an offer, stating that he will give no more, cannot 
make a higher offer. 

If a player has no trumps he throws down his hand, and does not play ; 
and any one having played all his trumps should throw down his hand, 
unless by taking the previous trick he is obliged to lead. 

Some players count low to the player to whom it was originally dealt, 
as in high, low, jack. It is also customary with some players to name 
the suit on which they bid ; thus two players might bid on the same suit, 
each thinking that he could make more than the other, which would make 
the bidding more spirited. 

In playing, any one may follow suit, or trump ; but, holding the suit 
led, cannot throw on a card of another suit not trumps. Not having the 
suit led, he may play anything he chooses. 

When three persons only are playing, it makes the gam* vore Inter* 
esting to deal nine cards instead of six. 



ALL-FOURS. 249 



DOM PEDRO. 

This IS a variation from Sancho Pedro, which is in itself a modification 
of All-fours. In Dom Pedro is introduced the Joker. It is always a 
trump. The hand that keeps it counts it for fifteen points. The Joker 
may be taken by any trump, even by the lowest. One hundred points 
constitute the game. When a four-handed game is played the threes may 
be discarded. When eight play, six cards are used. 

PEDRO. 

This game is played exactly like Sancho Pedro, except that SancLo is 
om^itted. Pedro consists of twenty-one points, and but nine points can be 
made in the play of one hand. If four persons are playing, the four 
threes can be thrown out when twelve cards are dealt to each player. 
If eight play, six cards dealt to each will cause the same result. 

DRAW PEDRO. 

Draw Pedro, with a few exceptions, is exactly like Cinch. The ex- 
ceptions are: The omission of the cinch card; Pedro, the five of trumps, 
being the only five to score. This makes it impossible to score but nine 
points in a single hand; twenty-one points is the game. Five or six per- 
sons may play and in the original deal but five cards are dealt; if a less 
number than five play, six cards are dealt. The player naming the trump 
leads, but, after the first trick, is not forced to lead trump. 



CINCH, OR HIGH FIVE. 

Sancho Pedro (page 226) having been described, Cinch, or High 
Five, is a variation from Sancho Pedro. In Sancho Pedro, the basis of 
the game being derived from All Fours, the new elements in the count 
were Sancho, the nine of trumps, and Pedro, which was the five of trumps. 
T.n Cinch, Pedro, the five of trumps, is retained, but Sancho, the nftie of 
trumps, has no specific value. In its place, a Five, of the same color as 
the trump suit, has a fixed value of five points. If then clubs be trump, 
Pedro is the Five of clubs, and the Five of spades is the Cinch. Vice 
versa, if spades be trump, the Five of clubs is the Cinch. If hearts is 
the trump, the Five of diamonds is the Cinch. If diamonds are trumps, 
then the Five of hearts is the Cinch. The variation then from Sancho 
Pedro is but shght. There are then six points to be made, and their 
order is as follows : 

The highest trump designated High is worth one point. 
The lowest " " Low ** " 

The Knave " ** Jack '» " 

The Ten of trumps " Game " ** 

The Five *' ** Pedro " five points. 

The Cinch, the Five of the color of the trumps designated a3 
Cincfn, is worth five points. 

Fourteen points can t'herefore be made in one hand. As in All Fours, 
^Q High and Ihe Low score for the original holders of them. The Jack 
is taken by a higher trump as in All Fours, as are the Ten (game), the 
Five (Pedro), and the Cinch (the Five of the color similar to the trump). 
If clubs are trumps it is the Five of spades which is the Cinch. If 
spades are trumps it is the Five of clubs, and the same for hearts or 
diamonds. 

Just as in Sancho Pedro a full pack is used, but instead of six cards 
being dealt, there are nine cards given. The cards are dealt in the same 
way, three at a time. There is the same bidding as in Sancho 

(250) 



CINCH. OR HIGH FIVE. 251 



Pedro. The player on the left of the dealer bids for the privilege of 
making the trump by offering one or more points to the dealer. The 
player next in order may bid. The dealer has a right to offer his bid for 
making the trump, but once a player having made a bid he cannot in- 
crease it. If it happens that no player makes a bid, it is obligatory on 
the part of the dealer to make a bid and the trump. 

In giving nine cards, the game being played with only six cards, as in 
All Fours, each player must then discard three cards. Supposing 4 are 
playing, then 36 cards are dealt . Then there are 16 cards left . Players have 
a right to discard more than the three cards. There being 16 cards left, 
each one may take four, though a first player in his turn might get the 
six new cards. Sometimes — for there are innumerable variations of Cinch, 
depending on locality — the trump is not declared, nor does the bidding 
open until each player has 13 cards. 

As in Sancho Pedro any one may follow suit or trump, but if holding 
the suit led, a player cannot throw on another suit not trumps. Having 
no trumps, or the suit led, then any discard is permissible. 

The discard may contain points, and this is often the case. After the 
round is played the discard is examined. It may be added to the score of 
those who made the trump, providing they had discarded the cards, ot^isr- 
wise the point or points they represent belong to the other side. 

There is no fixed number of points which make a game. Usually 51 
points is decided upon. In some sections of the country 75 points or loi, 
win the game. 

The rules for Cinch differ in no respect from those of All Fours or of 
Sancho Pedro. Even the playing with 9 cards instead of 6, is sometimes 
found in Pedro-Sancho (page 227). 

Cinch is a good game, but only a variation of Sancho Pedro. 

Sometimes Cinch is prone to engender contest, on account of want of 
care on the part of players as to the discard. This discard, unless pre- 
cautions are used, may become mixed. 

Any one familiar with All Fours can understand Cinch after a few 
hands are played. 



SPOIL-FIVB. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE GAME. 

INTRODUCTORY. 

Thb game of Spoil-five is played with a complete pack of fifiy-two 
cards. Any number may play from two to ten ; but about five makes 
the best game. 

DEALING. 

The deal being determined (see Laws), the pack is cut to the dealer by 
his right-hand adversary. The dealer reunites the packets, and gives 
five cards to each player, generally by two or three at a time to each (see 
Laws). 

The card which remains at the top of the pack after the hands are 
dealt is the trump card, and is placed face upward on the pack. 

When only two play, the game is sometimes varied hy fiving it — i. ^., 
if the non-dealer is not satisfied with his cards, he asks the dealer if he 
will five it. If the dealer agrees, the trump card is removed, and the next 
card turned up for trumps. 

ROBBING. 

If the turn-up card is an ace, the dealer has the privilege of robbing— 
i. e.^ he discards from his hand any card he pleases (placing it face down= 
ward on the table or under the pack), and substitutes for it the ace turned 
up. The suit to which the ace belongs still remains the trump suit. The 
dealer must discard before the eldest hand plays (a reasonable time being 
allowed), so that he may not gain the additional advantage of seeing 
what suit is led before he discards ; but the rob should not be completed 
{i, e.^ the turn-up card should not be removed from the top of the pack) 
until it is the dealer's turn to play to the first trick. 

If an ace is not turned up, and any player holds the ace of the trump 
smt in his hand, he must rob — i. e.^ he must reject a card from his hand 

(252) 



SPOIL-FIVE, 253 

and take in the] turn-up. A player is not bound to declare that he is 
about to rob till it is his turn to play ; but he must declare the rob before 
he plays his first card. The usual way of making; the declaration is to 
place the rejected card face downward on the table. If the player 
neglects to do this before he plays the power of robbing becomes void, 
and he is liable to a penalty (see Laws). 

Some players do not exact any penalty for neglecting to rob ; or make 
robbing optional, which amounts to the same thing ; or omit robbing 
altogether. But this leads to concealment of the ace, and is not recom- 
mended. 

The card put out in robbing, whether by the dealer or by another play- 
er, remains face downward on the table, and no one is allowed to inspect it. 



PLAYING. 

Each player plays one card at a time in rotation, commencing with the 
player to the dealer's left, the dealer playing last. The player of the highest 
Spoil-five card (see Order of the Cards) wins the trick. Trumps win 
other suits. The winner of the trick leads to the next, and so on till the 
hand is played out, or till threfe tricks are won by one player. 

When a trump is led the players must follow suit, except with special 
cards presently to be mentioned (see Reneging). 

When a suit not trumps is led, any player may trump the trick, even 
though able to follow suit ; but a player holding no trump must follow 
suit if he can. This is usually expressed, *' a player must either follow 
suit if able, or play a trump," but this is not quite correct, as a player 
holding none of the suit led may trump or not at his option. 

Provided the foregoing rules are complied with, a player is not bound 
to head the trick unless he likes. 

A player who wins three tricks in one hand wins the game. If no one 
wins three tricks, the game is said to be spoilt. When only two play, 
one must win three tricks, consequently no spoil can take place with two 
players. 

THE POOL. 

Before the play of the hand commences, each player pays to the pool a 
certain sum or number of counters agreed on. Should the game be won 
in that deal, the winner takes the pool ; but if a spoil occurs the pool 
remains, and each player puts an additional sum (generally a half or a 
third of the original stake) into the pool. This is repeated after every 
spoil till a game is won. 



254 SFOIL-FIVE. 



ORDER OF THE CARDS 

The order of the cards differs in the red and black suits, and again in 
the trump suit. 

In suits not trumps^ the order of the cards is as follows, beginning 
with the highest : 

In Red Suits. — King, queen, knave, ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, 
four, three, two, ace. 

In Black Suits. — King, queen, knave, ace, two, three, four, five, six, 
seven, eight, nine, ten. 

The order of the cards below the knave is thus commonly expressed, 
*' the highest in red and the lowest in black." 

The ace of hearts always ranks as a trump. Therefore, in the above- 
mentioned order for red suits not trumps, the ace must be omitted from 
the heart suit. 

In the trump suit^ which includes the ace of hearts, the order of the 
cards is as follows, beginning with the highest : 

In Red Suits. — Five, knave, ace of hearts, ace of trumps, king, queen, 
ten, down to the six, four, three, two. 

In Black Suits. — Five, knave, ace of hearts, ace of trumps, king, 
queen, two, three, four, six, down to the ten. 

The order of the cards in trumps below the knave adheres to the rule 
" highest in red and lowest in black." Of course when hearts are trumps 
there is only one ace in the trump suit. It is as though the ace of hearts 
were thrust into all the other trump suits, between the knave and the ase 
of that suit. 

RENEGING. 

The five of trumps, knave of trumps, and ace of hearts, may renege-^ 
i. e. , they are exempt from following suit when an inferior trump is led. 

The five of trumps may renege to any trump led. No trump can renege 
when the five is led. 

The knave of trump* can renege to any trump led except to the one 
superior to it, viz., the five. If the five is played (not led) the knave can 
renege. If the knave is led, no trump can renege except the five. 

Similarly, the ace of hearts can renege to any trump led, except to the 
trumps superior to it, viz. , the five and the knave. If the ace of hearts 
is led when hearts are trumps, the five and knave are entitled to renege. 
If the ace of hearts is led when hearts are not trumps, a player holding 
no trump need not play a heart. Some players require hearts to be. 
played, but the rule first g^iven is preferable. 



SPOIL-FIVE, 255 



TWENTY-FiVE AND FORTY-FIVE. 

Sometimes spoils are dispensed with altogether, and the game is made 
a fixed number (either twenty -five or forty-five), each trick gained by any 
r^layer counting five to him. At Forty-five, but not at Twenty -five, the 
trick won by the best trump out counts ten instead of five ; if tricks are 
won sufficient to make game before the holder of the best trump plays it, 
the tricks win the game. Robbing is always compulsory. 

In addition to this, a player at Twenty-five or Forty-five who wins all 
five tricks wins the game. This is called jinking it. Properly the jink 
belongs only to these games, but sometimes by agreement jinking is al- 
lowed at Spoil-five, the winner being paid, in addition to the pool, the 
amount originally staked by each player. 

When jinking is allowed at Spoil-five, if a player, having won three 
tricks, continues to play for a jink, and fails to win every trick, he scores 
nothing that hand, and cannot, therefore, win the game that deal. It is 
optional on the player's part whether he will run the risk of scoring noth- 
ing for the chance of obtaining a jink. It requires considerable judgment 
at Spoil-five to know when to play for a jink, and when not. 

It is sometimes agreed (but generally not) that the winner of a jink may 
claim a wheel-out— i. e. , that he may start for the next game with the 
score he had previous to playing the hand that made the jink. Wheeling- 
out is better omitted. 

At Twenty-five robbing is sometimes permitted with the king of trumps 
as well as with the ace, the latter taking precedence. This, howevq^ 
occasionally leads to the exposure of the king, and is better omittec. 
When the king is empowered to rob, jinking is not allowed. 

Twenty-five and Forty-five are good partner games, and are often 
played with partners when only four meet. Spoil-five is never played 
with partners. 



HINTS TO LEARNERS. 

The principal interest at Spoil-five consists, odd as it may sound, in 
spoiling the game. The effort of each player, if unable personally to win 
three tricks, should be to prevent any other player who may have won, 
say two tricks, from winning another. The player at Spoil-five must con- 
stitute himself a sort of human dog-in-the-manger, and exert himself, r 



256 SPOIL^FIVE. 

he has no reasonable expectation of placing the gams to his own credit^, 
to thwart the player who seems most likely to obtain it. 

1. The deal is an advantage. The dealer is led up to the first trick, 
and his chance of robbing is greater than that of any other player. 

2. It is generally right to begin by leading your worst card, so as to 
throw the lead into the opponent's hand. It is considered better play to 
reserve your good cards till the third trick, than to risk the game by 
eagerness to obtain the first or second. 

3. If you hold two or three cards of a suit not trumps, generally lead 
the lowest of them. You thus exhaust the suit from your adversaries' 
hands, and those of it remaining in your own may by and by prove very 
useful. 

4. When not leader, if you hold one trump that cannot renege, gener- 
ally trump with it. But with two trumps, it is in most cases better, if no 
one has two tricks, to pass any but a winning card, reserving the trumps 
to spoil the strong hand. 

5. When last player, it is seldom good play to refuse to win the trick, 
and never with a weak hand. For example : you have ten and eight of 
trumps, nine of spades, four of hearts, and three of diamonds. These 
cards are no good ; you have no chance of winning the game ; therefore 
make the eight or ten of trumps if you have the fall of the trick. By 
taking the trick you lessen the chances of the adversaries, and your own 
being nil is not hurt. 

6. When holding one trump that can renege, and having no chance of 
the game yourself, retain the trump in your hand. It is almost certain 
to come in at the critical moment, spoiling the game, and keeping 
alive your interest in the pool. Trumps which cannot renege should not 
be reserved in this way, as they are liable to fall without effect if a trump 
card is led. 

7. Never throw away a high next best card of a suit not trumps, as a 
queen upon a king. Rather take the trick with a trump and lead the 
queen. Returned leads are generally puzzlers. 

8. Rarely allow any player to make a second trick. The most unlikely 
man (to all appearance) often steps to the front, and secures a third trick 
and the pool. 

9. At Spoil-five, when jinking is played, and you hold but one good 
card, say a five, and you see from the course of play that a certain player 
must make three tricks, do not win a trick with your good card, but 
endeavor to lure the adversary into going for a jink. If he goes for a 
jink, you may succeed at the very last moment in spoihng the game by 
the opportune appearance of your commanding card. 



257 



SPOIL^FIVM, 
LAWS OF SPOIL-FIVE. 

SHUFFLING. 

i. Each player has a right to shuffle the pack. 

Note. — Generally only the dealer exercises his privilege. 

2. The pack must not be shuffled below the table, nor so that the faces 
•f the cards can be seen. 

DETERMINATION OF DEAL. 

3. The first deal is determined by lot, sometimes by cutting, but gen- 
erally by dealing the cards face upward, one at a time to each player, 
until a knave is dealt. The player to whom the knave falls has the deal. 

CUTTING TO THE DEALER. 

4. In cutting to the dealer, at least four cards must be cut, and at least 
four left in the lower packet. 

5. If a card is exposed in cutting to the dealer, the pack must be re- 
shuffled and cut again. 

J. If the dealer exposes a card in reuniting the packets after the cut, 
•ihe pack must be reshuffled and cut again. 

DEALING. 

7. The dealer must give five cards to each player, by two at a time and 
then by three at a time, or vice versa. If the dealer commences by giv- 
ing two cards, he must give two all round, and then three all round ; if 
he commences by giving three, he must give three all round, and then 
tw^ ill round. 

'6. The cards must be dealt to each player in rotation, beginning with 
^%e player to the dealer's left. 

9. Tlie trump card {i. e. , the card which remains at the top of the pack 
after the players are served) must be turned face upward by the iealer • 
and placed on the top of the stock. 

10. If a card is faced in the pack (not by the dealer) there must be a 
fresh deal (the same dealer dealing again), except the facea card happens 
to \)e ih«^ trump. 

11. if there is a misdeal the deal passes :o the next dealer. 
It is a misdeal — 

{a) If the dealer deals without having the pack cut. 

{b) If the dealer shuffles the pack after it is cut with his cos/a»33t. 

<r) If the dealer deals out of order {e. g. , gives two cards where he 
should give three, or misses a hand, or exposes a card in deal- 
ing, or gives too many or too few cards to any player.) 



2S8 SPOIL^FIVE, 

Note. — Sometimes in the case of a misdeal the dealer is allowed to 
deal agfain, on paying to the pool the amount of the original stake. 

The mistake of giving too many cards is frequently arranged by draw- 
ing a card ; of giving too few by completing the hand from the stock 
This is a loose and unsatisfactory method ; it will be found better in the 
long run to play a strict game. 

12. If the dealer gives too many or too few cards to any player, and 
the error is not discovered until the hand is partly or wholly played out, 
it is still a misdeal (see also Law i6). 

13. The player to the dealer's left has the next deal. Each player is 
entitled to a deal — i. e. , the game must not be abandoned except at the 
conclusion of a round, unless there is a spoil in the last deal of a round, 
when the deal continues in order until a game is won. 

14. If a player deals out of turn he may be stopped at any time before 
the trump card is turned. If not stopped the deal stands good, and the 
rotation of dealing proceeds to the dealer's left as though he had dealt 
in turn. 

ROBBING. 

15. If a player neglects to declare his power of robbing before he plays 
to the first trick, he loses the right of robbing and forfeits the hand — i. e,y 
he cannot win the game that hand, but he may play his cards and try tc 
spoil it. 

PLAYING. 

16. If a player robs without the ace, or leads or plays out of his tum^ 
or leads without waiting the completion of the trick, or exposes a card, 
or omits to play to a trick, or revokes when not entitled, or reneges when 
not entitled, or plays to the first trick with too many or too few cards in 
his hand, he forfeits the pool— 2. ^., he cannot win the game that hand, 
and he cannot play again for that pool. 

Note. — This is called hanging the hand, and is equivalent to loss of the 
game. A severe penalty is necessary, because the faults enumerated in 
Law 16 may be attended with serious consequences to the other players. 
Thus ; suppose A, B, C, and D are sitting in this order round the 
table. B has already won two tricks. A leads ; B plays and beats 
him. Now should D play out of his turn, even by accident, and not 
win the trick, it is a clear intimation to C to win the trick if he can. 
This is an unfair combination against B. The penalty Of calling ex' 
posed cards would often be no punishment at all ; and, similarly, the 
penalty of forfeiture of the hand may be no punishment. For instance, 
D in the example may have no chance of the game himgslf. The same 



SPOIL^FIVE, 259 

applies to reneging when not entitled ; the player may have no chance of 
the game himself, but by reneging he may spoil it for some one else. 

INCORRECT PACKS. 

17. If a pack is discovered to be incorrect, redundant, or imperfect, the 
deal in which the discovery is made is void. All precedin^^- deals stand 
good. 



JINKS. 

Jinks, or, as it is sometimes called, Jink Game, is derived from Spoil-five. 

The game is won when all five tricks are taken. Failing to make five 
tricks by the player, the penalties are the same as in Spoil-five. When 
a king or ace are turned they do not count five. The aces can be robbed. 
If in dealing an ace is turned, the dealer may discard any card and take 
this ace. What it makes it counts. 

FORTY-FIVE. 

There is little difference between Forty-five and Spoil-five. The 
value of the cards and the way of play remains the same. Game being 
forty-five, hence the name. If two or four engage, the first side making 
forty-five wins. To turn up a king gives five points to the score. Rob- 
bing takes place as in Spoil-five. The holder of the king of trumps, when 
it is his turn to play, places on the table a card which he substitutes for it. 
He can ask for the ace. If the ace is not in the hand, the trump J»elongs 
to the player having the ace. 



CALABRASELLA. 



INTRODUCTORY. 

T9^ ZSxne of Calabrasella is played with a pack of forty cards, the 

lens, nlixes, and eights being discarded from a complete pack. It is more 

Ovrtvenieni to use two packs, the packs being dealt with alternately. The 

ga»^e caxi only be played by three players ; but a fourth player may cut 

in at th« conclusion of a round — /. e., when the deal returns to the original 

dealer. 

DEALING. 

The players having cut for deal (see Laws), the player to the dealer*s 
right cuts the pack. The dealer reunites the packets and distributes the 
cards by two at a time to each player, first dealing two to the player to 
his left, then two to the next player, and then two to himself. He con- 
tinues to deal in this order until each player has twelve cards. Four cardy 
(called the sfoc^) remain over. These are placed face downward in C^ 
middle or the table. 

ORDER OF THE CARDS. 

The cards rank in play in the following order : Three (highest), "^wo, 
ace, king, queen, knave, seven, six, five, four (lowest). As will be pres- 
ently seen, their value in counting is different from their rank in play, 

DECLARING TO PLAY. 

The deal being completed, the eldest hand (player to the dealer's left) 
looks at his hand and declares whether he will play alone <y not, saying, 
" I play," or, '*I pass." If he passes, the next player ^las the option; 
and if the second player also passes, the dealer has the option. If all 
three pass the hand is thrown up, and the deal goes to the next player, 
the one on the dealer's left. 

If a player declares to play his hand, the other two become allies and 
play against him. The single player is entitled, before he plays, U^ 
strengthen his hand, thus : 

(260) 



CALABRA SELLA . 26 1 

1, He may ask for any one three he chooses. The player holding the 
card named is bound to surrender it, receiving a card in exchange from 
the single player's hand. If the three asked for is in the stock, of course 
that fact will appear by the non-surrender of the card. No other card can 
in this case be demanded. If the single player happens to have all the 
threes dealt him, he may then, and then only, ask for a two. 

2. The single player next has to declare how many cards he will ex- 
change for cards in the stock. He is bound to exchange one, and, of 
course, cannot exchange more than four. He discards from his hand the 
number he desires to exchange, and places them face downward on the 
table. He then turns the stock face upward, and selects from it the num- 
ber required to supply the places of the discarded cards. 

The other players have a right to see the stock when turned up ; but 
they must not look at the cards put out by the single player. 

The cards discarded, together with those (if any) not taken from the 
stock, form a second stock called the discard. The discard remains face 
downward on the table, and belongs to the winner of the last trick, as 
will appear presently. 

PLAYING. 

The play of the hand then commences. The eldest hand (whether 
single player or not) has the first lead. Each player plays one card in 
turn, the dealer playing last ; the three cards thus played constitute a 
trick. The highest Calabrasella card of the suit led wins the trick (see 
Order of the Cards). There are no trumps. The players are bound to 
follow suit if able : but if not, may play any card. A player is not bound 
to head the trick unless he likes. The winner of the trick leads to the 
next, and so on, until all the twelve tricks are played out. 

The single player makes a heap, or pack, of all the tricks he takes, 
and the alHes make a pack of theirs, each trick being turned face down- 
ward when complete. There is no occasion for a player to keep his tricks 
separated, as the value of the tricks made does not depend on their num- 
ber, but on the cards they contain. 

The winner of the last trick takes the discard and adds it to his heap. 



SCORING. 

When all the cards are played out, each side counts the points in 
their respective packs. The points accrue from the cards in the tricks 
and discard and from the last trick, as in the following table : 



262 CALABRA SELLA . 

Each side for each Ace in their tricks counts 3 



tC t( 


Three 








«» (( 


Two 








«( <c 


King 








4C (i 


Queen 








«< (» 


Knave 








winner of the last trick counts . 


. 


3 



The total number of points is thirty-five ; but the number reckoned is 
the difference between the respective scores. For example : If the single 
player has twenty points and the allies fifteen, the former wins five points 
from each of the allies. On the other hand, if the single player has fif- 
teen points and the allies twenty, the single player loses five points to each 
of the allies. Each hand is a complete game in itself. No markers are 
required ; but each player is generally provided with a certain number ol 
counters, and receives or pays the number won or lost at the end of each 
hand. 



HINTS TO LEARNERS. 

1. With average cards the eldest fellid should elect to play, as the 
chances are in favor of his making Xnore than half the game, after asking 
for a three and taking in from the stock. 

2. In discarding it is seldom right to put out more than two cards, as 
the chances are that two of the cards in the stock will be of but little 
value. 

3. In playing the hand it must not be forgotten that the ace, which is 
the highest counting card, is not the highest in play. Skilful players en- 
^.javor as much as possible to make aces in their own tricks, and to entrap 
the aces of the opponents. 

4. When your ally has won, or will win the trick, you should generally 
throw a counting card to it (see Ex.). 

5. During the play count how many cards of each suit are out, that you 
may know whether you have the command of it or not. 

6. Much judgment is required in playing for the last trick. It counts 
three in itself, is generally rich in good cards, and takes the discard and 
all points in it. It generally makes a difference of twelve or fourteen 
points. It is often right, therefore, to reserve good cards, and to refuse 
to win tricks with them in order to secure the last trick. This is called 
r;» *^- <^'«« *► Tf ^^(r>Mf^^ie^x. vou caii iusure eififhteen points by playing 



CALABRA SELLA, 26^ 

forward, and there is a suit against you, it is not advisable to run any 
risk for the sake of the last trick. The great secret of Calabrasella is to 
know when to play forward and when to play back. 



LAWS OF CALABRASELLA. 

CUTTING. 

1. The players cut for deal ; the lowest Calabrasella card deals. 

DEALING. 

2. Each player deals in turn, the right of dealing going to the left. 

3. There is no misdeal. If there is any irregularity in dealing, on dis- 
covery, there must be a fresh deal, even though the hand has been played 
out. 

DISCARDING. 

4. The allies have a right to count the discard face downward, and if 
they find it to contain too few cards, they have the option of requiring 
the single player to make up the deficiency from his hand, or of throw- 
ing up the hand, the deal passing. If the discard is found to contain too 
many cards, the single player cannot win any trick to which he is unable 
to play. 

5. If the single player asks for a two, when he has not all the threes 
dealt him, the adversaries have the option of standing the deal or not. 

6. If a card is asked for and is not surrendered, and it is found that 
the card asked for is not in the stock, the single player (not having the 
card asked for in his own hand) may again require its surrender, and 
may alter his discard, notwithstanding that he has seen the stock. 

PLAYING. 

7. The players are bound to finish the round before leaving. The 
round i? finished when the deal returns to the original dealer. 

8. If the single player exposes a card there is no penalty. 

9. If the single player leads or plays out of turn there is no penalty. 
The card led in error must be taken back, and the right player must 
lead. If the second player has played to such lead he must also take 
back his card ; but if all three players have played, the trick is complete, 
suid the hand proceeds as though no error had been committed. 

xo. If either of the alUes exposes a card the single player may call it 



264 CALABRA SELLA. 

(except as provided in Law 9). The call may be repeated at every trick 
until the exposed card is played. 

11. If either of the allies leads out of turn, and the error is discovered 
before the trick is complete, the single player may call a suit from the 
right leader (or, if it is his own lead, may call a suit the first time he loses 
the lead), or he may refrain from calling a suit, and treat the card led in 
error as an exposed card. If a suit is called and the leader has none of 
it, he may play any card he pleases, and no further penalty can be de 
manded. 

12. When the single player leads, it is unfair for the third player to play 
before the second. 

N.B. — No penalty is attached to this offense. The only remedy 
is to cease playing with those who commit it. 

13. If a player does not follow suit when able, the opponent may take 
mne points from the score of the side offending and add them to his own. 

14. When a trick is complete it must be at once turned and quitted. 
When a trick is quitted no one has a right to see it during the jday of the 
hand. 



^■►^ 



ROUGE ET NOIR. 



RoOg£ Et Noi^, or Red and Blacky is a modem game, so styled, no\ 
from the cards, but from the colors marked on the tapis, or green clothj 
with which the table is covered. 

The first parcel of 
cards played is usually 
for Noir, the second for 
Rouge, though some- 
times the cards are cut 
to determine which shall 
begin. All the terms of 
this game are French, 
and that language is 
used in playing. Any 
number of persons may 
play, and the punters 
may risk their money on 
which color they please, 
placing the stakes in 
the outer semicircle; but 
after the first card is 
turned up, no other 
stakes can be laid for 
that coup. 

The tailleur or dealer 
and croupier, the person 
who pays out or takes in 
the wagers, being seated 
opposite each other, with 
a basket for receiving 
the cards of every coup 
after dealing, placed on 
the middle of the table ; 

the tailleur, then passing round six packs of cards to be shuflfled and 
mixed confusedly all together by the company, afterward finally shuffles 
(265) 




26^ ROUGE ET NOIR. 

them, and inserts all the end cards into various parts of the 312, till he 
meets with an honor, which being placed upright at the end, is offered to 
a punter, who, putting the same into any part of the pack, the tailleur 
there separates it, and lays that part which was below the said honor 
uppermost ; and taking therefrom a handful of cards, and placing a 
weight upon the remainder, proceeds to deal, taking afterward other par- 
cels from the heap as they may be wanted, till all are dealt out. He 
looks at the first card, and puts its face downward ; two others, one red^ 
the other black, are then laid back to back, and that placed conspicuously 
uppermost which is of a similar color with the said first card ; these two 
cards are turned according to the color of that card which afterward may 
be first dealt in each succeeding coup. When the stakes are deposited, 
the tailleur cries Noir^ turns the top card, and places each succeeding one 
in a row, till the points of those so turned shall exceed 30 ; he then 
declares the numbers, at trente et une, one-and-thirty ; or if above that, 
up to 40, he only says, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf, two^ 
three^four^five^ siXy seven^ ^ig^^t-, nine ; and when/br^v, quarante. 

Another parcel is then dealt in a similar mode for Rouge, and the punt- 
ers win who had staked on that color the points for which were 31 or 
nearest to it, which the tailleur declares, by saying, Rouge gagne, Red 
wins ; or Rouge perd, Red loses. These two parcels, one for each color, 
make a coup. When the same number is dealt for each, the tailleur says, 
apres, aftet\ which forms un refait, or Doublet^ by which neither party 
loses, except it is un refait trente et un, one-and-thirty^ when the tailleur 
wins half the stakes punted on each color, which half the punters may 
either pay, or have their stake moved into the middle semicircle of the 
color they then choose, called la premiere prison, the first prison^ to be 
determined by the next event, whether they lose all or are set at liberty ; 
but if un refait second trente et un, a second Doublet of one-and-thirty ^ 
should occur in the next succeeding deal, the punters lose only one-half 
of their remaining moiety, making three-fourths of their original stakes 
and are removed into the smallest semicircle, styled la seconde prison^ 
the second p7'ison^ and the next coup determines whether the punter loses 
all, or is to be removed again into la premiere prison. 

Punters, after winning, may paroli, etc., and pursue their luck to a 
soixante, as at Faro ; but as no livrets are used at Rouge et Noir, they 
cannot make either paix or pont. 

At this game a banker cannot refuse any stake not exceeding his fund ; 
which the punter declares, by saying, Je vais a la Banque, Va la Banque, 
or Va Banque, / am playing at the Bank, Bankers generally furnish 
punters with slips of card paper, ruled in columns, each marked N. or R, 



GO-BANG, 267 

at the top, on which accounts are kept by pricking with a pin; and when 
tin refait happens, the same is denoted by running the pin through the 
middle line. Some bankers give up the profit of le refait during the 
first deal. 

The odds against le refait being dealt, are reckoned 63 to i, but bankers 
expect it twice in three deals, and there are generally from 29 to Z2 coups 
in each deal. 



GO-BANG. 



Go-Bang is one of the oldest games that we know. It was first played 
in China more than two thousand years before Christ, although its exact 
origin is shrouded in mystery. In Japan the game is known as GO- 
MUTCHIB. The Chinese and Japanese games require snecial apparatus. 
The English game is played on an ordinary chessboard or checkerboard 
with the men used in backgammon. 

The game is played by two persons, who take from twelve to fifteen 
counters each, or any other number agreed upon, the counters of each 
player being uniform in color, but of a color distinct from that of his 
opponent. The lead is decided by drawing or by agreement. The 
leader plays a counter on any square he chooses. His antagonist puts a 
man on any unoccupied square. After this each player in turn puts 
down one of his men until all have been placed. 

If, while the men are being placed, either player can get five men in a 
line, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, he calls, *'Go-Bang," 
and is the winner of the game. 

This very seldom happens when the players are anywhere near equal 
in skill. When the men have all been placed the players move alternately 
on unoccupied squares, seeking to get into a winning position. The 
players should play to get three men in line with unoccupied spaces at 
each end. If this is not blocked at once, they become winning positions, 
as can easily be figured out by even the novice at the game. The English 
game is not as scientific as the Japanese, as the board is smaller. With 
a regular Go-Bang board there is, however, very little difference. 

In the second stage of the game — after all the men have been placed 
on the board — there are no general laws for playing. Kach player can 
choose the position he thinks the best for winning. He can make a 
feigned attack on a distant part of the board to draw men away from 
the position where he really wishes to make Go-Bang. 

A player will often find himself handicapped in the second stage of 
the game by the poor way in which he placed the men in the first stage. 
A little experience will soon teach him. It is a game that grows on 
one. 



HEARTS. 



n 



The game of Hearts is of recent date, and has only been played in tht 
United States during the last five years. Hearts is probably of German 
origin, although there is some slight resemblance between it and the 
Miseries, played in Boston. Any one then familiar with the game of 
Boston, wiU at once understand Hearts. 

It has, too, the same fundamental rules as Whist, is played in exactly 
the same manner, only that there are no partners, each one playing for 
himself, and that the number of tricks taken do not count, and also that 
there is no trump. 

To play Hearts well requires, perhaps, less study than Whist, and is 
more agreeable on that account ; but still a certain amount of skill is nec- 
essary, and the run of the cards must be remembered. 

The best encomium that can be passed on Hearts is, that it is interest- 
ing enough as a game of cards, to be played as is picquet or cribbage, 
without any money stakes. 

The rules for Hearts are few, easily acquired, the mental power called 
into play by no means fatiguing, and in the course of play, the surprises 
are constant. Hearts, then, combines in itself all the requirements of an 
amusing and entertaining game of cards. 

The regulation game cf Hearts is played by four persons, each one 
taking care of his own interests. 

A full pack of fifty-two cards is used. 

The ace is the highest card, next the king, then queen, jack, ten, eight, 
ieven, six, five, four, three, and two. 

Cards are shuffled, and cut by the player to the right of the dealer, the 
person to the left receiving the first card, the deal continuing as in Whist, 
every player receiving thirteen cards. The dealer does no^ turn up the 
last card, for there is no trump. 

In case of a misdeal, the dealer loses, and the deal passes to the left. 

If cards are faced in the pack, the dealer reshuffles, the pack is cut as 
before, and he deals over. 

The first player to the left of the dealer leads as m Whist. Players 

(268) 



HEARTS. 269 

must follow suit. If they have no cards of the suit, they may discard asi 
they pkase. 

The person taking a trick has the lead. Should a player revoke, he has 
to pay a penalty in chips to the other players. The character of this 
penalty varies, as may be determined upon by previous arrangement, and 
this penalty will be afterward explained. A player, however, making a 
revoke cannot win. 

Hearts is not a continuous game as is Whist, where a certain number 
of points have to be scored in order to win the game. When each per- 
son has played the thirteen cards the game ends with that round. The 
penalties are paid and the next round begins. 

Reduced to its simplest expression, the object of the game of Hearts is 
to get rid of the hearts held in one's hand. 

You may take any number of tricks in other suits, but as long as you 
have taken no heart or hearts, you will have no penalties to pay. 

You must follow suit just as in Whist, and the high cards take tricks 
precisely as in that honored game, but you must try and take no hearts. 

As the player has the privilege to discard hearts, when a suit is played, 
in which he is short, he naturally discards his hearts, or, if he takes a 
trick in some other suit, and fears that with the lead he may give his ad- 
versaries an opportunity to discard their hearts, to his disadvantage, he 
may, if he wishes to, lead a small heart, and so give four hearts to an- 
other player. To get rid of your hearts, and not to take any, is the sole 
object of the game. 

The penalties of the game may now be explained, and at once readily 
understood. Counters or chips are used. Each player takes twenty-five 
or fifty chips, or as many as he pleases, which may or may not have a 
money value. 

The round being ended, the hearts each player may have taken are 
counted. There are thirteen hearts in the fifty-two cards. If one player 
has taken them all, he pays thirteen chips to the three other players, that 
Is four to each, making twelve in all, and there is one chip over. This 
chip is left on the table, and is added to the total payments made at the 
next round. 

Suppose with the four players, 

A has one heart. C has four hearts. 

B has two hearts. D has six hearts. 

It is A who wins, for B pays him two, C four, and D six ; and A gets 
twelve chips. 



270 HEARTS. 

To take another case, 

A may have two hearts, C may have three hearts. 
B *' two hearts. D *» six hearts. 

Then A and B having the same number of hearts, C pays for three 
hearts, D for six hearts, and A and B divide the penalty, which is nine 
chips, each taking four. Sometimes, in playing for chips, a few counters 
of half values are used, so that the division can be made every time. 

The rule of payment can at once be understood, which is that the per- 
son or persons taking the least number of hearts win. Thirteen not 
being divisible by four without a fractional remainder, there must always 
be an odd number of hearts in somebody's hand. 

Now can be better explained the penalty for a revoke : 

If a player, to save his extreme penalty, which would be thirteen chips, 
providing he took all the hearts, revokes, he has to pay for this error, in- 
tentional or otherwise, by more chips than had he taken all the hearts. 
The ordinary penalty is that a player making such a revoke, shall pay to 
the other players eight chips each, or twenty-four in all. 

THE DOUBLE, OR THE EAGLE GAME OF HEARTS, 

Of late, what is called the Double Game of Hearts is played. The 
niles of dealing, and everything else, are just the same as have been 
'loeoribed, only there is increased value given to the hearts taken, anc? ' 
this way : 

The Ace counts •••••.. 14 chips. 

The King '» .13" 

The Queen " . . , . , , . 12 •* 

The Knave " H *♦ 

The Ten »• 10 «♦ 

The rest of the cards according to their spots, the deuce being two. It 
can be seen at once how the game augments when these extra values are 
given. 

Another way of counting is to make : 

The Ace counts . • • - • • • • .5 

The King - 4 

The Queen *• . • . ,^ 

The Knave »* . . . • • . . • » 

The remaining^ cards one chip eadk -- 



HEARTS. 2yi 

For beginners the regular game (each heart counting one) ij the best 
to commence with. 

When revokes are made in the Double or Eagle Game of Hearts, the 
penalties are, in proportion, much heavier than when the simple game is 
played. Forty chips to each of the other three players are exacted. For 
a revoke when the ace counts five, the king four, the queen three, and 
the knave two, fifteen chips to each cf the other players is the penalty re- 
quired. 

GENERAL PHILOSOPHY OF THE GAME. 

At the first conception of the game it would seem to be quite simple to 
play it ; but to play Hearts well requires a certain amount of study and 
observation. 

The player sorts his cards just as in Whist, and can generally at a 
glance *ell whether he has a good hand or not. 

Diifering from most other games, a low hand is a good hand, especi- 
ally a long suit which ends with a three and a deuce. On the contrary, 
a longish suit with high cards, ending, say, with an eight, is a bad one, 
for once a player has been forced to acquire the lead, he will take all the 
tricks in that suit, and his adversaries having no cards of that suit^ will 
load him down with their hearts. 

A typically-good hand would be to hold the thirteen hearts, providing 
it was not your lead. Then no one could make you take a heart ; where- 
as, if it were your bad fortune to have the lead, you would be forced to 
take ever}^ card. The same would, of course, happen had you thirteen 
cards of any other suit, providing you had or had not to lead. 

Singletons, only one card of a suit, give you ample opportunity to lead. 
A single ace, or single king, queen, or jack of any suit not hearts is a 
good card. Suppose you do take the tricks with your ace or king, if it is at 
the first or second round, then the next time it is played you can discard. 

Though the main object of the game is to get rid of hearts, supposing 
you had the low hearts, it would be bad play to throw them out save 
under special circumstances, to be presently explained. 

If you have low hearts your danger does not lay there, but in the other 
suits. 

Eleven diamonds might have been played, leaving only the two and 
the three of diamonds in, and you might hold this small three. Your 
adversary has counted the diamonds, and will be certain to xjlay the two, 
when you would be forced to take it with the three of diam^'>nds. and the 
other two players would get rid of each a heart on your trick. 

Any suit not endmg with a two you may take a trick i» ♦ -^nd as a 
corollary, no suit is absolutely Sckfe tiicU has uot a deuce in it 



2^2 HEARTS. 

Threes, fours, and fives, etc., are the lowest, of course, when the dene^ 
have been once played. 

Everything depends on the judgment shown in the leads and on the 
skill in the discard, and this judgment can only be acquired by keeping; 
accurate account of the cards which have been played. 

Sometimes, with a hand, deliberate judgment may be taken as to how 
it is to be played, but before the first three rounds are made very little 
can be told as to the future. 

If suits are evenly divided, your idea of how the game will affect your 
hand may come nearly true and to your advantage ; but should an adver- 
sary be long on the same suit and the others shorty your winning game, 
as you supposed it would be, may turn out disastrously for you. 

The hearts which fall to your adversaries must be carefully counted. 
The cases where the penalties have been described, inform the reader 
how two of the players may each have one heart, and the others, more 
hearts. A good player will scheme so as to give the person who has but 
one heart, another one, and then when the game is closed, the skilfuj 
performer having but one heart, and all the rest more than one, he takes 
all the chips and does not divide. Sometimes a good player will take a 
risk to carry out this plan, and may succeed, and, as often as not through 
greed or bad luck, will get worsted, and, instead of dividing the penalties, 
lose himself. This is the case where the discard of even a low heart may 
be given sometimes with telling effect. 

If a player's cards other than hearts are high, it is wise to take tricks at 
once, because later on when other suits are led, adversaries may have 
discarded hearts, having managed to get short of some suits. 

There is always a tendency in Hearts to keep back hearts until the last 
CSW founds, which is as often as not an error. 

A thirteenth card will, of course, bring three discards, or if at 12^ ^ ' 
of the round you have three winning cards in your hand, you necessarily 
take the tricks, and the obnoxious hearts are showered on you. 

Sometimes in a hand you may have the king of hearts and the deuc«, 
and hearts may be led up to you, you being the last player. It is a ques- 
tion whether you should take the trick or pass it. If you take it, you will 
certainly have to pay for four hearts. If you do not and hearts are led 
again, you have refused to take the first trick having put in the deuce, 
then you will take the second trick with the king, for it is not likely that 
the ace v/iL be played. How to play with these two cards, king and 
deuce or a high and low heart, will depend on the other cards you hold. 

If you are short of a suit, it is wise to trust to fortune, for the person 
having taken four hearts, may have enough and change to something else. 



HEARTS. 



273 



Having:, however, four hearts, taken by you In a trick, unless you have 
all the winning hearts, it is wisdom to drive the suit home, and divide 
your load, for it is more economical to pay a penalty for four hearts than 
for eight or more. 

Sometimes want of courage ends in disaster. 

There is a constant element of luck in all games of cards, and some- 
times an apparently bad hand in Hearts turns out quite well, and you 
may take no hearts at all or only one or two, whereas on opening yom 
hand, you lirmly believed that the bulk of the hearts would be yours. 

You have had a chance to discard, and have discarded with skill. 

It often happens that two skilful players pick out one another as antag* 
#nists, and each holding a long suit are determined to wreck their respect- 
ive fortunes. This is to your advantage, and you seize on the opportunity 
to disgorge your dreaded hearts to their detriment. 

Suddenly they awaken to the consciousness that you are getting the 
better of their duel, and one of them gives you a heart. Now you have 
discarded your last heart, and you respond to their lead, by throwing off 
a high card of another kind. 

When a suit is led, and a player responds with a deuce, it is to be 
understood that it is the last one he has, or next to the last, or that he is 
afraid to put in his higher card, fearing there may be a discard. On 
general principles this may be understood at the beginning of the game 
as a declaration of shortage. 

If you have a long suit, beginning with the highest and ending with 
the lowest cards, there can be no use taking the trick, because you cannot 
be forced to take that lead in the suit unless you wish to. This, however, 
requires a careful study of the rest of your hand, for if, unfortunately, at 
the conclusion of the game you took a trick, and then were left with your 
long suit, you would have the game all your own ; plentifully supplied 
with the hearts, your adversaries would shove on you. 

Hearts, it may be remarked, is very amusing, because it is a game of 
pure selfishness, everybody looking out for himself. 

There is no rule to be followed by the first player, for he changes his 
play according to circumstances. 

The last player, of course, if he has to take the trick, secures it with his 
highest, because he, like all the rest of the players, wants to get rid of his 
highest cards. 

A first-class player, at the opening of the game, may lead a king with 
impunity. Somebody, having the ace, will be pretty certain to take it, 
unless he be very long ; then it behooves the person who leads to reflect 
who is long in that suit. It may be wise to stop the lead, and to find out 



274 HEARTS, 

by other play and subsequent developments, who holds the particular sui»* 
with him. 

The worst hand at Hearts is one with three or four high cards in every 
suit, in which case it is in exact opposition with "Whist. 

Single cards are excellent leads, whether high or low, for they are not 
to be considered as indications, like in Whist. 

The skill in the game lies not alone in the leads, but more particularly 
in the discards. 

The best player is one who always knows what cards are in, and, just 
as in Whist, there are Heart experts, who, with talented performers, can 
call the last eight cards in their adversaries' hands. 

TO PLAY HEARTS WITH MORE THAN FOUR PERSONS. 

Five persons can play Hearts, but the dealer does not give himself any 
hand, he playing only once in four games. As one of the charms of 
Hearts is its rapidity, the dealer has never long to wait before he plays. 

Five may, however, play Plearts, each person receiving ten cards, and 
the last two cards, being concealed, turned face downward, or the two 
deuces of spades and clubs can be left out. 

When three play, one suit may be left out, each player taking thirteen 
cards. 

A better way is to take out the deuce of spades or any other deuce, a Ad 
to give each player seventeen cards. It should be remembered then that 
one suit has only twelve cards. Another variation is to dea^ ^venteen 
cards to each of three players, and to leave unturned the last card. 

To conclude, Hearts is a most p^.easant game, highly provocative of 
laughter, and is so entertaining that honest amusement can be found in 
it without any money stake. 



PROQRESSIVE HEARTS. 

As in Euchre, Progressive Hearts is an interesting game. There are 
twelve players at three tables. Four losers retire and there are eight. The 
sifting process takes place until there are only four players. The four 
play. There may be four prizes, the person losing the least chips having 
awarded to him the first prize. The prizes of less value may be given to 
the other players in proportion to their points. A booby prize presented 
to the person having ?.ost most points, adds to the amusement of the 
g:ame. 



VINGT-UN. 



ViNGT-UN (twenty-one) may be played by two or more players ; about 
six or eight is the best number. The cards bear the same respective val- 
ues as in Cribbage. The tens and court-cards are each reckoned for ten ; 
but the ace in each suit may he valued as one o?' eleven ^ at the option of 
the holder, according to the exigencies of his hand. 

Having determined the deal by lot — which may be done simply by 
shuffling the pack, and then giving each player a card, the first possessor 
of the knave having the deal—counters or small stakes having been de- 
termined on, the dealer holds the pack with their faces beneath, and pro- 
ceeds to give a single card to each player, and one to himself, all face 
downward. Each player then places his stake on his card, and the dealer 
distributes a second card all round, beginning in each case with the elder 
hand — his left-hand neighbor. The players then examine their hands, 
and the dealer looks at his own two cards, v/hen, if he thinks fit, he may 
** challenge the board," receiving or paying from all whose hands are less 
or more than his own, up to twenty. Failing, however, to do this, he 
asks each one in succession if he wishes to have another card, or stand on 
the two he has. The usual phrase is—" Do you stand ?" If the elder 
hand is content with his hand, he says " Content," and places his cards 
on the table, face downward, to await the result of the dealer's own cards 
If he wants one or more cards he says so, and the dealer gives him from 
the top of the pack as many as he requires. If the court-cards, tens, 
etc., exceed twenty-one in number when added together, the player is 
said to have "over-drawn," in which case he must throw his cards into 
the centre of the table, and deliver his stake to the dealer. But if the 
pips and tens on all his cards make, when added up, twenty-one or less, 
he puts them face downward on the table, and waits the event of 
the round. And so with each player till all are served. The dealei 
then lays his own cards face upward on the table. He, too, has 
the privilege of taking other cards from the pack, should the num- 
ber be not near enough to twenty-one to allow him to stand. When 
(275) 



2"]^ VINGT-UN, 

he laa satisfied with his hand, he says, '* I stand,** and all the players 
face meir cards on the table. To all those whose hands are twenty-one 
or nearer to twenty-one than his own, he pays a stake equal to that orig- 
inally placed on the single card : while he receives the stakes from all 
whose hands are less in number than his own, including ties. But to 
any piayer or players having an ace and a tenth card — which is termed a 
" natural Vingt-un " — he pays double stakes. The " natural " must al- 
lirays consist of the two cards first dealt. Should, however, the dealer 
himself have a '* natural," he receives double stakes from all the players, 
and single from the ties. In this way the deal goes on till one of the 
players turns up a " natural," when he becomes dealer, and proceeds as 
before. 

Twenty-one, whenever it consists of an ace and a tenth card, dealt in 
the first two rounds, entitles the player to double stakes from the dealer ; 
and similarly from the players to the dealer, when the latter happens to 
get a natural. In the latter instance, the round is at an end on the dealer 
taking his second card, and he receives double stakes from all the play« 
ters without the necessity of giving them a third card or more. 

Ties pay to the dealer the stake ventured ; but directly the player re- 
ceives his second card he should look at it, and if he has obtained a natu- 
ral he should declare it immediately. Thus he would get his vingt-un 
before the dealer had received his second card, and would therefore be 
entitled to be instantly paid, even though the dealer himself were fortu- 
nate enough to get an ace on his ten, or a tenth card on his ace. 

The dealer has also the privilege of insisting on all the players doub- 
ling tlieir stakes. This he commonly does if he has an ace or a tenth 
card m the first round, or when the stakes are too low to please him. 

It is the duty of the younger hand to gather up the cards at the con- 
clusion of each round in readiness for the next deal. In some compa- 
nies the whole pack is dealt out before the cards are shuffled, the cards 
belonging to each round remaining on the table till the whole pack is ex- 
hausted. Generally, however, the pack is gathered up at the end of each 
deal, shuffled by the player at the left of the dealer, and cut by the player 
at his right. Sometimes, when the party is large, two packs are in use 
at the same time — one being shuffled and cut while the other is being 
dealt ; or the two may be mixed together and played in the same man 
ner as a single pack. 

The dealer and each of the players has the privilege of making two 
hands, if the first two cards given him be of like character — as two nines, 
kings, aces, etc. In this case each party pays and receives on both hands. 
But in the case of a ** natural " occurring in a doubled hand, the holder 



VINGT-UN'. 2yy 

receives only a single stake on each, because to obtain a '* natural" the 
first two cards only may be counted. 

Again : The dealer has the privilege of looking for the hrulet at the 
commencement of each deal. The b7'ulet consists of the top and bottom 
cards of the pack after it has been shuffled and cut. If a *' natural " 
occurs in the brulet, the dealer receives double stakes from all the players 
except the ties, from which he takes singles. Of course he must not de- 
clare his '* natural " till all the players have staked. But if he take the 
brulet, he is not compelled to stand upon it ; but after he has dealt all 
the players as many cards as they uemand, he may add to his own pair 
as many as he thinks fit. 

The odds at Vingt-un of course depend upon the average number of 
pips and tens on two cards under twenty-one. 

If the two cards in hand make fourteen, it is seven to six that the one 
next drawn does not make the number of points above twenty-one ; but 
if the points be fifteen, it is seven to six against that hand. Yet it would 
not, therefore, always be prudent to stand at fifteen, for as the ace may 
be calculated both ways, it is rather above an even bet that the dealer's 
two first cards amount to more than fourteen. A *' natural" vingt-un 
may be expected once in eight coups, when two, and twice in eight, when 
four people play, and so on, according to the number of players. 

This is Vingt-un as most generally played ; but in some companies the 
** natural " receives dorble stakes from all the players, and treble from 
the dealer. 

One of the great advantages possessed by the dealer is the taking of 
all stakes on the ties. The game is therefore played occasionally with a 
provision that ties are exempt from payment. Again, it is generally ad- 
mitted that the occurrence of a '* natural " during the first deal does not 
jause its forfeiture, the dealer being allowed to continue his deal. This 
and other regulations must, however, be made by agreement among; the 
players at the commencement of the game. 



RULES OF VINGT-UN. 

The rules of Vingt-un are by no means fixed ; we give them, however, 
us the game is generally played.— Editor.) 

I. The first deal must be determined by chance — as by cutting the 
v^rds, obtaining the first knave, etc 



278 VINGT-UN. 

2. Previous to the deal the youngest hand shuffles, and the eldest hand 
cuts. 

3. The stake must be placed on the first card previous to the second 
round, and allowed to remain till the round is completed and the dealer 
exposes his cards. 

4. In case of a misdeal, the stakes must be withdrawn and the cards dealt 
over again. 

5. All ties pay to the dealer, except in the case of a " natural" being 
declared previous to the dealer obtaining his second card. Then the 
holder of the ** natural " is entitled to receive double stakes immediately, 
before another card is played. 

6. The holder of a " natural," after the first round, i^ entitled to the 
deal. 

7. The dealer is at any time allowed to sell, and any player to purchase, 
the deal. The dealer may also pass the deal to any one desirous of hav- 
ing it. 

8. The ** natural " must consist only of an ace and a tenth card dealt 
in the first two rounds. In the case of double or treble hands, an ace 
and a tenth card form '* acquired " and not '* natural " vingt-uns, and re- 
ceive or pay only single stakes. 

(The brulet^ or drawing a card from top and bottom, is rarely 
played in the United States. — Editor.) 

9. The player who over-draws must immediately declare the fact, and 
pay his stake to the dealer. 

10. In taking brulet the dealer is compelled to retain those two cards, 
but he may add to them if he wishes after all the players are served. 

11. No stake can be withdrawn, added to, or lessened, after it has 
been once laid on the card ; but it must be allowed to remain till the 
dealer declares he stands. 

1:2. No stake higher than that agreed to at the commencement of the 
game is allowed. 



QUINCE. 



Quince is played by two persons, with a full pack of cards. The cards 
are shuffled by both players, and when they have cut for deal, which falls 
to the lot of him who cuts the lowest, the dealer has the liberty to shuffle 
them ag:ain. Ace is lowest. 

When this is done, the adversary cuts them, after which the dealer 
gives one card to his opponent and one to himself. 

Should the dealer's adversary not approve of his card, he is entitled to 
have as many cards given to him, one after the other, as will make 
fifteen, or come nearest to that number ; which are usually given from 
the top of the pack. For example, if he should have a deuce, and draw 
a five, which amounts to seven, he must continue going on in expectation 
of coming nearer to fifteen. If he draw an eight, which will make just 
fifteen, he, as being eldest hand, is sure of winning the game. But if he 
over-draw himself, and make more than fifteen, he loses, unless the dealer 
should happen to do the same ; which circumstance constitutes a drawn 
game ; and the stakes are consequently doubied ; in this manner they 
persevere until one of them has won the game, by standing and being 
nearest to fifteen. 

At the end of each game the cards are packed and shuffled, and the 
players again cut for deal. 

The advantage is certainly on the side of the elder hand. 

Quince may be played by more than two players. 



(270) 



SPECULATION. 



Speculation is played with a whole pack, each card having the same 
value as at Whist. Counters are used. Three cards are dealt to each play- 
er, one at a time, face downward, the last being turned up as trumps. No 
player may look at his cards, or turn up out of his turn. The highest 
trump clears the pool. Previous to the deal the dealer stakes five, and 
each player three counters, or any larger number that may be agreed on ; 
and the holder of every knave and five of each suit except trumps pays 
one counter to the pool. When the deal is completed, the eldest hand 
turns up his top card, and if it happen not to be a trump, the next player 
exposes his top card, and so on till a trump superior in value to the turn- 
up is shown. When a trump appears, its holder offers to sell, and the 
various players bid for it, and it then becomes the property of its pur- 
chaser, and the player next him to the right turns up, and so on till a 
>etter trump is shown, which its owner again offers and sells if he 
pleases ; the holder of the highest trump in the round, whether heM by 
purchase or in hand, winning the entire pool. The holder of the trump 
card has always th^ privilege of concealing his hand till a superior trump 
appears, or of selling either hand or trump. No person looking at his 
card out of turn can be allowed to take the pool, even if he hold the best 
trump. To play Speculation requires some judgment and memory, in 
remembering the cards out in the last deal, and the chances sxe against 
their reappearing in the round. 



C280) 



MATRIMONY. 



The game of Matrimony is played by several persons— by any num« 
bar, in fact, from five to fourteen. The game consists of five chances, 
marked on a board or sheet of paper : 

Best. 
The Ace of Diamonds turned up. 



T3TJ 



INTRIGUE ; 

OR, 

QUEEN AND KNAVE. 



3 3. 
n> 



Pairs. 
The Highest. 

The deal is given to the lowest card cut. The stakes are determined — 
counters are generally used — and the dealer proceeds to place on each or 
any chance the sum he wishes to venture. The other players stake in 
Hke manner, but one counter fewer than the dealer. Then, if he stakes 
ten, they each place nine counters on the chance. Two cards are then 
dealt to each player, beginning with the elder hand (the left of the deal- 
er), face downward. A third card is then dealt round, face upward. If 
ace of diamonds (best) be turned up, the holder of that card clears the 
board ; but if it be merely held in hand, it ranks as-lhe other aces. But 
if there be no ace of diamonds turned up, then the king or the next high« 
est card in that suit wins the chance called desf. The hands are then 
turned up, and the holders of intrigue, matrimony, etc., take the stakes 
placed on those points. When two or more players happen to hold like 
cards — as pairs, king, and knave, etc. — the elder hand wins the stake ; 
but if any chance be not gained it stands over till the next deal ; but the 
stakes may be increased on any unclaimed point. Remember that ace 
of diamonds is dest ; king and queen matrimony ; king and knave con 
federacy ; and any pair the highest. 
(281) 



CONNEXIONS. 



Three or four persons may play at this game. The cards bear th« 

same value as at Whist ; and if three play, ten cards are dealt to each ; 
but if four, then only eight. Diamonds are always trumps, and the sev- 
eral connexions are : 
T. The two black aces. 

2. Ace of spades and king of hearts, 

3. Ace of clubs and king of hearts. 

The pool is made up by each player contributing a certain sum equally ; 
and then, when the cards are dealt, each person takes up his hand. Sup- 
posing twelve cents be staked by each one, the holder of the first connexion 
is entitled to three cents ; of the second to two cents ; and of the third, 
or of the greatest number of tricks, a penny for each, or in similar pro- 
portion according as higher or lower stakes are agreed on. 

A trump played in any round where there is a connexion, wins th^ 
trick — otherwise it is gained by the player of the first card of con- 
nexions ; and after a connexion, any following player may trump with- 
out incurring a revoke, whatever suit may be led ; the person holding a 
card of connexion is at liberty to play it, but the others must, if possible, 
follow suit, unless one of them can answer the connexion, which should 
be done in preference. 

No money can be drawn till the hands are finished ; then the posses- 
sors of the connexions are to take first according to precedence, and 
those having the majority of tricks take last. 



(282) 



CASINO 



Two, four, or six persons can play Casino. They can play partners or 
against one another. Twenty-one points is the game usually. The usual 
deck of lifty-two cards is used. 

In dealing it is always better for the dealer to deal two to his ad- 
versaries, and two to the board, and then twr to himself until all hands 
have four cards. Sometimes four at a time are dealt around, but this is 
not a good way. 

If a card is faced or exposed during the deal, a new deal can be 
insisted upon. If in the last round a card is exposed, the player to 
whom the card belongs can force the dealer to take the card. 

The player to the left of the dealer plays first. He can take any card 
from the board if he has a like card in his hand. He can place an ace 
and nine, a five and a five, a six and a four together and take them with 
a ten. He can combine cards in this way, and if he holds a card equal 
to the combination he can take all the cards used in the combination. 

He can also build; that is, place upon a five on the board a five from 
his hand, announcing the build as ten or as fives. In the first case he 
must take it with a ten from his hand; in the latter, with a five. If his 
build amounts to nine, an adveisary can play an ace from his hand upon 
it and call it ten, if he also has a ten in his hand. An adversary can 
OTily raise a build with a card from his hand. 

If a player makes a build he cannot raise it, but he can have several 
builds on the board at the same time. If he has a build, and cannot take 
a card nor make another build on his turn toi play, he must take the 
build. If in building the player fail to call the build, his adversaries 
have the right to disperse the cards and to use them as they see fit. 

When all the cards have been dealt out and played, all the cards left 
on the table belot.^ ^o the player taking the last trick. 

The game is scored I'z this manner: 

The player holding a maj, -^y of the cdjh counts three. 
(283) 



284 CASINO. 

The player capturing Great Casino (ten of diamonds) counts two. 

The player holding a majority of spades counts 01. ;. 

The player capturing lyittle Casino (two of spades) counts one. 

Each ace counts to the player holding it one. 

The winner of a sweep counts for each sweep ^ne. 

A sweep is counted where all the cards are taken from the board. 

The total number of points, not* counting sweeps, possible on a hand 
is eleven. 

If each player holds an equal number of cards, cards are not counted, 

A variation of the game is to count knave as eleven, queen as twelve, 
and king as thirteen. With this exception the game is played as de- 
scribed. 

TWENTY-ONE POINT CASINO. 

Generally twenty-one points are agreed upon to constitute a game. It is 
not general to-day to count sweeps; but sweeps should be scored, ae 
there is fine play made in the scoring of them. 

THREE AND FOUR HANDED CASINO. 

This game is played precisely like the two-handed one. The pTaye? 
who makes the points agreed upon first is winner. In the four-handed 
game there are partners. 



POPE JOAN. 

This game is played by any number, from three to a doze**, wtio us« 
& round board, divided into compartments. 

The eight of diamonds is first taken from the pack, and after settling 
the deal, shuffling, etc. . the dealer dresses the boards by putting the 
i^ounters or other stakes, one each to ace^ king^ queen^ knave^ and game ; 
c'lvo to matrimony^ two to intrigue^ and six to the nine of diamonds^ styled 
pofe This dressing is, in some companies, at the individual expense of 
ifie dealer, though, in others, the players contribute each two counters. 
i.*he cards are then dealt round equally to every player, one turned up for 
trump, and about six or eight left in the stock to form stops ; as, for ex- 
ample, if the ten of spades be turned up, the nine consequently becomes 
a stop. The four kings and the seven of diamonds are always fixed 
stops, ar.^ tlie dealer is the oi^jr pejson permitted, in the course of the 



POPE JOAN, 285 

game, to refer occasionally to the stock for information what other cards 
are stops in their respective deals. If either ace, king, queen, or knav« 
happens to be the tumed-up trump, the dealer may take from the board 
the counters deposited in those compartments ; but if Pope be turned up, 
the dealer is entitled both to that and the game^ besides a stake for every 
card dealt to each player. Unless the game be determined by Pope being 
turned up, the eldest hand begins by playing out as many cards as pos- 
sible ; first the stops, then Pope, if he have it, and afterward the lowest 
card of his longest suit, particularly an ace, for that never can be led 
through. The other players follow, when they can, in sequence of the 
same suit till a stop occurs, when the party having the stop becomes 
Wildest hand, and leads accordingly ; and so on, until some person parts 
with all his cards, by which he wins the pool (game), and becomes enti- 
tled, besides, to a counter for every card not played by the others. The 
holder of Pope, then in hand, is excused from paying. King and queen 
form Matrimony ; queen and knave make Intrigue^ when in the same 
hand. But neither these, nor ace, king, queen, knave, nor pope, entitle 
the holder to the stakes deposited in their several compartments unless 
played out. No claim can be allowed after the board be dressed for the 
succeeding deal. In all such cases the stakes remain for future determina- 
tion. This game requires a Httle attention to recollect the stops made in 
the course of the play ; as, for instance, if a player begins by"laying down 
the eight of clu ).<=•, then the seven in another hand forms a stop, when- 
ever that suit DC led from any lower card : or the eldest hand may safely 
lay it down, in order to rid himself oi his cards. 



NEW^MARKET. 

This is a modification of Pope Joan, and is played with 51 cards, the eight 
of diamonds, as in Pope Joan, having been taken from the pack. From 
another pack of cards, the ace of spades, the king of hearts, the queen of 
clubs, and knave of diamonds are taken, and secured to a board. Some- 
times, where the game is regularly played, these cards are painted on a slip 
of canvas, which is placed on the table. As in Pope Joan, any number of 
people can play. The deal is determined by the person receiving the 
first knave. Prior to dealing, the players may make bets, by putting 
what counters they please on the four cards, ace of spades, king of 
hearts, queen of clubs, and knave of diamonds. They may put up chips 
on any one, or all of them. It is, however, optional, whether players 



286 "SARATOGA. 

sYiCl put up stakes on these four caids. The pack is dealt in rotation, as 
iri Pope Joan, one at a time, one more hand being given, which is for 
stops. The stop hand is given after the dealer has his cards, just as 
all the other hands. The person after the dealer begins, and can select 
any suit he may like, but it is obligatory that it shaL be the lowest card 
of a suit. As he puts the card on the table, he must caH it. Then the 
person holding the next card in suit, announces his having il, and puts it 
on the table, naming it. Say a four is the lowest card of a diamond suit 
the player after the dealer has commenced v/ith. Then the person 
having the five of diamonds follows, then the person having the 
six, and so on. This is obligatory. Stops naturally occur, as when 
the last of a suit is played — as the final kings, or when the seven of 
diamonds is put on the table, because there is no eight of that suit. In 
the stop hand are of course the wanting cards. When a stop is reached, 
then the playing of that suit closes. Alljcards played so far are faced, 
and the person who had the last stop card begins anew. When one 
player has been able to follow suit, and has no more cards left, h^ an- 
nounces it by saying, " out." Then the game is closed, and the person 
who is out receives one counter for each card the other players still hold. 

As to the four cards on which wagers have been made, the stakes on them 
belong to the player who happens to have the exact card, when he succeeds 
in making a stop with it. Say he has the king of hearts. A player before 
him has put up a queen of hearts, and he follows with the king of hearts. 
Having that king entitles him to take down all the wagers on the king. 
Should it happen that in the stop cards there be any of these special 
cards, the stakes wagered on them remain, and serve their purpose for 
the next round. 

Newmarket requires some judgment to play properly. Having ac- 
quired Pope Joan, however, the methods of good play are the same. 



SARATOGA. 

This is a modification of Newmarket. The putting up of counters on 
the four cards, ace of spades, king of hearts, queen of clubs, and knave 
of diamonds, is obligatory. Each player furnishes a chip. The total is 
made into four parts, and one portion put on each. card. The game pro- 
ceeds as in Newmarket. If on any of the cards the chips remain after the 
round is played, they stay there, with the new additions, until they are 
won. All else is as in Newmarket. 



BACCARAT. 



Baccarat is a game of pure chance, and bears some resemblance to 
Vingt-et-un or Twenty-one, but is much more rapid. The banker ot 
the players win or lose as they approximate to a point, which is nine. 

To play Baccarat a large oval table is used. Generally directly in 
front of the dealer or banker, a line is drawn across the table dividing it 
into two equal portions. Sometimes from a radial point before the bank- 
er lines are drawn to the edge of the table. 

Any number of persons can play. They take places to the right or left 
of the line, the banker being in the middle. All who are on his right 
make their bets on two cards, all those on his left on two other cards. 
These two cards, to the right and left players and to the banker, may be 
supplemented by a third card to each, as will be presently explained. 
Differing from Vingt-et-un, only one new card can be taken. 

In France, Baccarat is played with one pack of fifty-two cards ; in the 
United States with three full packs. Whether one or three packs are 
used, the chances in the game remain the same. The only ar^ vantage of 
using three packs is that less time is lost in shuffling. 

DEALING. 

The cards are shuffled, and cut by as many of the players as may wish. 
The dealer may, at his option, say, *' I will throw off three or four or six 
cards before opening the deal " — and can place these face upward on the 
table. These are dead cards, and do not affect the game in any way. 

When the dealer begins, he gives first one card to his left to the player 
A, then one card to the player Q, both being the elder hands, then a 
third card to himself. He gives a second card to A, a second to Q, and 
a third to himself. There are only six cards given in this preliminary 
stage of the game. 

Before any cards have been given bets are made. All the players on 
the left make their bets on the cards to be given to A, as do the players 
on the right, who make their bets on the cards Q is to receive. 

After this the first round, it is B on the left and P on the right who 
get the next two cards ; at the second round, C and O, and so on, untU 



288 



BACCARAT. 



finally the most distant players from the dealer, I and J» get their tw« 
cards. Then the dealer, who is the banker, begins with A and Q again, 
next to B and P, as before explained. 

A BACCARAT TABLEe 
Players. 




X is the Dealer, or Banker. 

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, are players to the left of the dealer, X, and 
all bet on two cards given them. 

J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, players to the right, bet on two other cards 
given them. 

X is the dealer. He takes also two cards. 



BACCARAT. 



•89 



OBJECT OF THE GAME. 

Players and the banker try to get the point of nine. If the right- 
hand players have made a seven, the left-hand players a five, and the 
banker six, the bank would pay all the wagers made by the right-hand 
players, and would win all the wagers made by the left-hand players^ 
The banker's six was one point less than the players on the right who 
had seven, and one point more than the players on the left, who had fiveo 

HOW THE CARDS COUNT. 

Nine is the highest winning point. Cards count ace, one ; deuce, two, 
and so on according to their spots. The tens and all the picture-cards 
count ten. But a ten has no value in Baccarat. It neither increases nor 
diminishes the value of the cards. 



S? 



Example. 
O 

o 



o o 



One and three make four. If a ten were given as the third card, one 
and a three and ten would be fourteen. Deduct ten from it, the total 
would still be four. The holder of the one three, and ten, has four. 
But the combination of ten may entirely destroy the value of the points 
found in the first two cards. 

Example. 



O 
O 

o 



^ 


p 


^ 


9 


9 


^ 



The first two are the cards given, the total is four. Another card Is asked 
for, and a six — any six — say the six of hearts is received. This counts as 
six ; an ace is one, a trey is three, and a six is six — one and three and 
six make ten. Ten has no value, and the player has zero, or nothing. 
This point of ten is called Baccarat. 

Take the case where the addition of a card may make the winning 
point, an ace and a three is four. If a five be received, then 1+3+5=9, 
and nine is the winning point of Baccarat. 

A player may receive two tens as the first two cards, and get, if he 



290 BACCARAT. 

asks for it, a third card, which is a ten, and he will have thirty — or thre* 
tens, which counts for nothing. He may, however, get a nine, or twenty- 
nine in all — then the tens counting nothing, he has the best point in 
the game, which is nine. 

The leading hands are any combinations in which two cards make 
nine, or by ten being deducted from them leave nine. Thus a five and a 
four are a natural nine, as are one and eight, or two and seven, or three and 
six, or four and five, or two and seven, or three and six, or a ten or a 
picture-card and a nine. Two nines, being eighteen, deducting the ten 
is a good point, being eight. 

This being understood, we will suppose that the game has been opened. 
The left-hand players have made their bets before taking any cards, and 
the right-hand players having done the same thing, the banker accepting 
the bets, cards are dealt, as before explained, one at a time, the left, 
the right, the banker, each getting a first card, then a second one. 

The player A looks at his cards, and he represents the interests of all 
the left. The cards show a king and a deuce. The point a two. A 
must draw, for his point is seven less than nine. He gets an eight. He 
has twenty in count, which is nothing. Q, on the other side to the right, 
has an eight and a two, which is ten, or nothing. He draws a card — it 
is a nine. He has then nineteen. Deducting the ten, he has nine, which 
is the winning point. The banker draws a card or not, as he pleases. 
He may have a five and a two, which is seven. He stands. It would be 
too dangerous for him to expect to draw an ace or a deuce, to make him 
eight or nine. Should he draw a trey, that card would make him ten, or 
nothing. If it were a four, 5+2+4=11, would make him one point only. 
He does not draw. H-e stands. The cards are shown after the point* 
are announced, and the banker wins all the money staked on one side 
where there is twenty or nothing, and pays on the other side where 
there is nine. 

Players should draw a card when they are four. The banker's game is 
different. He judges whether the players' hands have been augmented 
or diminished by the fall of the cards. He might stand at four and win, 
because the other sides have taken cards and may have not augmented 
their hands. If the sides stand, it is supposable they have at least five. 

When either the players or the banker has a natural eight or nine, it 
must be announced at once, and shown. Example : The left has a two 
and a six, or a four and a five. The player announces eight or nine, ai 
the case may be. The banker looks at his card, does not announce any-, 
thmg. The right-hand player has not nine or eight, or it would have 
been announced. He asks for a card, and may make nine with the third 



BACCARAT, 



291 



card. The banker may draw a card and make nine. He pays the natural 
eight or nine, and it is a stand-off with the players who have made the 
same point. 

No combination of three cards, if it even makes nine, is as good as a 
natural eight or nine. No double payments are made for naturals. 

LAWS. 

Only one card can be taken after the two original cards have been re ^ 
ceived. 

Calling a hand, and making a mistake, brings with it no penalty, be- 
cause, as in Poker, nothing is taken for granted. The cards must be shown. 

Nine cards may be necessary when the last round is played. If there 
are only eight cards the play ceases. Cards are all gathered in, and a new 
deal begins. 

Eight or nine made in the first two cards must be at once announced, 
as *' eight," or " nine," and placed face up on the table. 

The person representing the side of the table where he holds the cards, 
has a right to decide whether he will take a third card or not. 

The banker must have money enough to meet any bet. If he has not 
ne must retire. 
, The banker can decline continuing his bank when he pleases. 

If the dealer turns over a card given to the player, he is bound to ex- 
pose one of his own cards. 

If he exposes two cards in dealing, he must show both his own cards, 
and then the players have the option of withdrawing their bets, or hold- 
ing the banker to them. 

BACCARAT CHEMIN DE PER. 

This game is different from Baccarat Banque In that it is played with 
six packs of cards. The arrangement of the table and the players is 
the same in each game. Players draw lots for seats. Beginning with 
the croupier, each player in turn shuffles the cards. When they have 
made the round of the table, the croupier offers the cards to the player 
on the left to cut. He then takes part of the pack and passes them to 
the player on the right, who for the time is the dealer. The play from 
this point on is practically the same as in Baccarat Banque. If the 
banker should **pass the deal," the other players in rotation have a 
right to take the amount in it upon the retirement of the previous 
banker, but must open the bank with it. Should none care for the 
deal it goes to the player next to the right of the retiring banker, who 
can start the bank with any amount that suits him. The late banker 
is now regarded as the last in order of rotation. A player who has 
gone bank and lost is entitled to do so again on the following hand, 
although the deal may have passed to another player. 



l^CARTE. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE GAME. 

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 

The game of Ecarte is played by two persons. A pack of cards is 
required from which the sixes, fives, fours, threes, and twos have been 
thrown out. It is more convenient to have two packs, each being used 
alternately. The packs should be differently marked or colored on the 
backs. 

If three wish to join in the game they can do so by playing a pool. 
Each contributes an equal sum to the pool. All cut ; the lowest is out ; 
the other two play the first game. The loser of this game adds to the 
pool a sum equal to what he put in at first, and the person who was out 
takes his place. If the winner of the first game loses the second, he puts 
a stake in the pool and retires ; and so on, till one player wins two games 
consecutively, when he takes the pool. 

DEALING. 

The players having cut for deal the pack is shuffled, and the non-dealer 
cuts it. The dealer reunites the packets, and gives five cards to each 
player. The cards are not dealt singly, but by two at a time to each, and 
then by three at a time to each, or vice versa. In whichever manner the 
dealer commences to distribute the cards he must continue throughout 
the game. He may change the order at the commencement of a subse- 
quent game on informing the non-dealer before the pack is cut. 

The eleventh card, now the top of the pack, is turned up for trumps. 
Should it happen to be a king, the dealer marks one ; otherwise the turn- 
up is of no value ; it merely indicates the trump suit for that deal. The 
remainder of the pack after the trump card is turned up is called th« 
stock. The stock should be placed to the dealer's Mt. 

(292) 



&CARTA 293 



DISCARDING AND PLAYING. 

The players now look at their hands. Should the non-d^Hder be satis- 
fied with his cards, he may at once proceed to play them. Uut if he con- 
siders it to his advantage to exchange any or all of them, he proposes^ 
saying, *' I propose," or " Cards." 

If the non-dealer proposes, the dealer has the option of clanging any 
or all of his cards, and he signifies his intention of doing s^ by saying, 
*' I accept," or " How many ?" But if the dealer is satisfied with his 
hand he may refuse to give cards, saying, " I refuse," or " Play." 

If the non-dealer plays without proposing, the dealer n ust also play 
without exchanging any cards. 

When a proposal is accepted, the non-dealer separates iioxn his hand 
the number of cards he desires to exchange, and places them face down- 
ward on the table to his right, at the same time naming the number dis- 
carded. The dealer also separates his discard, and places it to his right. 
The trump card is put aside, and the cards required by the non-dealer, to 
restore the number in hand to five again, are given him from the top of 
the stock. The dealer then helps himself to the number he has discarded. 

If the non-dealer is still dissatisfied, he may propose a second time, 
saying, " Again," and the dealer may accept or refuse as before ; and so 
on until the non-dealer has a hand that he wishes to play, or until the 
dealer refuses. 

The next thing in order is for the non-dealer, if he holds the king of 
trumps in his hand, to mark one. He must announce the king before 
playing his first card, unless the card first played is the king, when he 
may announce it before it is played to. 

After the discard, or, if there is no discard, after the deal, the non- 
dealer leads any card he thinks fit. His adversary plays a card to it ; the 
two cards thus played constitute a trick. 

If the dealer holds the king of trumps, he must announce it before 
playing, unless it is the card he first plays, when he may announce it 
before playing again. 

The second player must not renounce if he holds a card of the suit led, 
^-i. e,y he is bound to follow suit, if able ; and he must win the trick, if he 
can. The highest card of the suit led wins the trick. The cards rank in 
the following order, beginning with the highest, king, queen, knave, ace, 
ten, nine, eight, seven. Trumps win other suits. Failing the suit led, the 
second player, if he has a trump, must win the trick by trumping. The 
winner of the trick leads to the next, and so on till the hand is played out. 



294 



tlCARTA 



SCORING. 

The score accrues from tuming up or holding; the king, as before ex- 
plained, and from winning the majority of tricks. 

The player who wins three tricks out of the five gains the pointy and 
scores one. If he wins all five tricks he gains the vole^ and scores two. 
Winning four tricks is no better than winning three. 

If the non-dealer plays without proposing, and fails to make three 
tricks, his adversary scores two, just the same as though he had won a 
vole. Losing the vole is of no further consequence in this case, as wheth- 
er the adversary makes three tricks or five, he scores two. 

Similarly, if the dealer refuses cards, and fails to win three tricks, his 
adversary scores two. 

The rule as to playing without proposing and as to refusing, only ap- 
plies to the first proposal or refusal in each hand. Playing without pro- 
posing a second time, or refusing a second proposal, does not entail any 
penalty. 

The game is five up, — /. ^., the player who first obtains five wins the 
game. 

The score is most conveniently marked by means of counters, four be- 
ing required by each player. The score should be marked to the player's 
right ; and the counters not in use should be placed to his left. 

HANDS TO BE PLAYED WITHOUT PROPOSING. 

It is generally deemed advantageous to risk hands where the odds are 
two to one, or nearly so, in favor of winning the point. These hands, 
called Jeux de Rhgle^ and the mode of playing them are as follows : 

[Spades are trumps throughout. The score is assumed to be love-all ' 

No. I. — ^Any hand with three or more trumps. 
Lead the highest trump. 



No. 2. 













9 S? 




9? S? 


9? 




9? 


^ 9 




9 9 


9 






9 9? 




q? ^ 



Two trumps, and three cards of a suit. 

Lead the highest card of the suit not trumps, and continue until 
trumped. 
If one of the trumps is the king, ask for cards. 



j^cartA 



295 



No. 3. 











O 



4. 4. 



Two trumps, queen and another of a suit, and a small card of a third 
suit. 

If the trumps are high, lead the guarded queen ; if low, lead the single 
card, in hopes of forcing, and of being led to in the guarded suit. 

If one of the trumps is the king, ask for cards. But with king and an- 
other trump, queen and another of the second suit, and an honor in the 
third, the hand should be played. 

With queen in each of the three suits, begin with the queen of trumps^ 
as, if the king is encountered, the other suits are led up to. 

If the guarded plain card is a king, lead the king. 



No. 4. 






♦ ^ 

♦ ♦ 
^ ♦ 



s? 


s? 




7 


9 


9? 




^ 


^ 


9 



^ 


9? 




s> 


7 


9 


^ 


^ 




Two trumps, eight, seven of a suit, and king of a third suit. 

Commence with the highest guarded plain card, and if it wins continue 
the suit. 

If one of the trumps is the king, ask for cards. 

With similar but rather stronger hands — as, for example, king and an- 
other trump, queen, knave of the second suit, and a knave — commence 
with the guarded queen, and then, if it wins, play the king of trumps. 

Hands of intermediate strength between No. 3 and No. 4 should be 
played, viz. : two trumps, knave, ace of one suit, and eight of another ; 
or ace, ten of one suit, and ten of another ; or ten, nine of one suit, and 
knave of another ; or nine, eight of one suit, and queen of another. Lead 
the highest guarded plain card. 



No. 5. 











o o 
o o 



Two trumps, a king, a knave, and a seven of different suits. Lead the 
single king. 

Similarly, hands containing king, ace, nine, of different suits, or king 
and two tens of different suits from the king, should be played. 



296 



tCARTA 



Also hands containing: two queens ; queen, knave, ace of different 
s»uts ; or three court cards. In all these hands the highest single card 
should be led. 



No. 6. 






4. 4. 



One trump, a tierce major, and a small card of a third suit. 

Lead one of the tierce, and continue the suit. If trumped, the lead is re 
grained with the trump. If not trumped, play the tierce major and then 
the trump. 

If the trump is the king, commence with the trump. 

If the trump is the queen, and the king is not declared after the lead^ 
then play the queen, except at the point of four (see Effect of Score). 

With king, queen, and a small card of the strong suit, the hand should 
not be played unless the other card out of trumps is an honor, or the cards 
held are king, queen, ace, and eight or nine of the third suit ; or king, 
queen, ten, and another ten. 



No. 7. 







1 





0.0 
0^0 




O 
0% 



o o 

O 



One trump, and king with three small cards of the same suit as the king. 
Lead the king, and continue the suit. 
If the trump is the king, ask for cards. 

If the trump is the queen and the king is not declared after the lead, 
«hen play the queen, except at the point of four (see Effect of Score). 



No. 8. 








*** 




*** 

4. 4. 



One trump, a queen single, and a queen with two small cards. 

Start with the guarded queen, and continue the suit ; if trumped, play 
it again on obtaining the lead. 

If the trump is the king, ask for cards, unless the guard to the queen is 
at least as high as the ten. 

If each queen is singly guarded, ask for cards, unless one of the guards 
is at least as high as the tea. 



ecartA 



297 



Ho. 9. — Four court cards, except the four knaves ; but play four knaves 
if the knave of trumps is guarded {Jeu de Rlgle No. 5). As a general 
rule, commence with the guarded card of the strongest suit out of trumps. 

No. 10.— Hands from which only two cards can be discarded without 
throwing a king or a trump ; also hands guarded by a queen in three suits. 

The same general rule as before. Thus, with no trump and three 
queens, begin with a guarded queen. 

If the king of trumps is not in hand the discard of two cards is almost 
always bad, as the adversary has the advantage of being able to exchange 
five cards against two. But with the king of trumps in hand a player 
may discard more freely until he gets cards that answer his purpose, as 
pointed out in the list of Jeux de Rlgle. 

Hands stronger than those enumerated should be played without pro- 
posing. There is one exception to this rule. If the non-dealer holds 
cards which insure the point, he should propose even for one card, unless 
he holds all court cards and trumps. For by proposing he has the chance 
of a refusal, which gives him two points for three tricks ; and if the pro- 
posal is accepted, and he takes in one good card, it may give him the vole. 

Also, having proposed once, and holding the point certain, it is often 
good play to propose again, for the chance of the vole. It is almost 
always right for the non-dealer to ask for cards a second time if he has 
queen of trumps single and a weak hand. 

When a player does not play his hand, he should throw out all cards 
except trumps and kings. 

HANDS WITH WHICH TO REFUSE. 

The general rule for the dealer is to accept, unless he is guarded in 
three suits, or is guarded in two suits, and has a trump. A queen in each 
of three suits is a sufficient guard. 

feu de Rhgle No. i.— Refuse, unless one of the trumps is the king. 

No. 2 should not be played unless the plain suit is headed by a courl 
card. Accept with king in hand. 

Nos. 3 and 4, and the intermediate hands, should be played ; but if the 
kisig is in hand, accept. Play No. 5. 

K^. 6 should not be played unless the single card is a court card. With 
similai )iands (see Jeu de R^gle No. 6), accept, unless the single card is 
king or queen. 

Nos. 7 and 8 ai^. too weak to be played. But refuse on No. 8 if both 
queens are singly g jgurded. 

Also, play one trump, queen of one suit, and knave guarded of aa 



298 £cartA 

other, if the fifth card guards the queen, or is a court card : accept if the 
trump is the king. 

Play one trump and two kings : or one trump, with king and queen of 
iifterent suits, one being guarded. Accept if both are unguarded, unless 
*v^ith a card at least as high as ace in the fourth suit. 

No. 9.- It the court cards are of three different suits refuse, but if not, 
^ve cards. 

No. 10. — Refuse with three queens if two are singly guarded, otherwise 
accept. Also, refuse on hands from which only two cards can be dis- 
carded without throwing a king or a trump, unless king of trumps is in 
hand. 



GENERAL RULES FOR PLAYING. 

The general system of play is to lead from two or more of a suit, and 
to lead the highest. The lead from a strong suit is the one most likely to 
force the adversary ; and, if the trumps are equal, the first force will 
probably win the point. 

But, when playing a weak hand after a refusal, with no hope of the 
point, and fear of the vole, it is right to lead the strongest single card, so 
that the guarded suit may be led up to. The rule does not apply to a 
king, which in such case should be played out at once. Having only one 
queen guarded, or one knave guarded, it is never right under these cir- 
cumstances to lead the guarded card. For example : with a queen single, 
a queen guarded, and two worthless cards. Cards are refused. Lead 
the single queen. A further advantage of leading in this way is that the 
player will not be emban*assed at the end of the hand as to which queen 
he shall keep. 

If the strong suit led is not trumped, it should, as a rule, be persevered 
with. But if the leader has the king of trumps, or queen (king not hav- 
ing been declared in the other hand), or knave and ace, it is advisable to 
take out a trump before going on with the suit (see, however. Effect of 
Score, last par.). 

Another exception to persevering with the suit is when playing for the 
Tole with a weak trump, and high cards in the other suits. In this case 
the play is to change the suit each time, as the best chance of avoiding a 
ruff. If three tricks are made in this way, then the single trump should 
be played. 

When playing with two trumps and an unguarded king, it is usually 
recommended to begin with a low card rather than with the king. If the 



AcartA 299 

low cards are of the same suit, it is the game to begin with them ; but ii 
of different suits, the king is the best card to play. 

Trumps should not be led at starting, even though the best suit in hand, 
unless the leader holds king ; or queen, knave ; or knave, ace ; with court 
cards out of trumps (see also yeux de Rhgle for hands with which to 
commence with a trump). Holding three trumps, the two highest being 
jn sequence, it is ahvays the game to commence with a trump. 

If cards are refused, it is bettei to play from two small consecutive 
cards than from a high tenace. Thus : the leader has king, nine of hearts, 
king of clubs, and eight, seven ot diamonds. Spades are trumps. He 
proposes and is refused. He should lead a diamond. Again : the leadej 
has king of spades (trumDs), eight and seven of clubs, and queen, and 
seven of hearts. He proposes and is refused. He should lead the king 
of trumps and then a club. 

Having made two tricks and remaining with the queen of trumps and 
two small ones (the king having been dedared in the other hand), the 
leader, by playing a small trump, must make the point. 

Having made two tricks, and finding the adversary has no trump, it is 
better to lead a king than a trump. Then lead the trump, and the ad- 
versary, if he has another card of the king suit, will be in doubt whether 
to keep that suit or not ; whereas, had the trump been led first, he would 
unhesitatingly have kept the suit in which he was guarded. The princi- 
pal advantage of this mode of play is when the king led is guarded. But 
the king should equally be played if single, as if the method is only pur- 
sued when the king is guarded, the adversary will of course keep that suit. 

EFFECT OF THE SCORE. 

When the dealer is at four, any hand should be played without pro* 
posing, which gfives an even chance of three tricks — e. g. , a queen, a g^uard- 
ed knave, and a guarded ten ; or, in the language of the card-table, " play 
a light hand against four." If the point is lost, the adversary wins the 
game in any case, and by not changing cards all chance of his taking the 
king is avoided. When the non-dealer is at four, the dealer should also 
refuse on a light hand ; but he ought to have some protection in three 
suits, as for instance three knaves, or a knave and two guarded tens. 

The dealer being at four, it is advisable for the non-dealer to play any 
hand which contains one trump, unless the cards out of trumps are of 
different suits and very small ; and also for the dealer to refuse cards if he 
holds a trump when his adversary is at four. With one trump and four 
small cards of a suit the non-dealer should play at this point of the game, 
but the dealer should not. 



300 jSicartj^. 

Again : if the dealer is at, four, the rule to ask for cards with three cer. 
tain tricks in hand does not hold, unless the player proposing has the 
king of trumps. 

If the non-dealer plays without proposing when he is at four to the 
dealer's three, the dealer if he holds the king ought not to mark it ; for 
if he wins the point he scores two and the game ; and marking the king 
would but unnecessarily expose his hand. The same rule applies to the 
2ion-dealer, if the dealer refuses cards when he is at four and his oppo- 
nent at three. 

At tiie same score (dealer four to three), the dealer should refuse on a 
light hand, notwithstanding that the loss of the point will then lose him 
the game. The reason is that the player proposing at this score must 
have very bad cards. This rule, though important, is often disregarded, 
even by players of some experience. 

At four a forward game should not be played in trumps, as there is no 
advantage in winning the vole. Thus, with yeu de R^gle No. 6, if the 
trump is the queen the leader should continue the suit and not play the 
trump after passing the king of his suit. By playing in this way it is pos- 
sible to make three tricks, even against two trumps in the other hand. 
For if the adversary holds knave and another trump, and trumps the sec- 
ond card of the strong suit, he will probably lead his knave to pass his 
other cards. If he does so he loses the point. 



HINTS TO BEGINNERS. 

Always shuffle your adversary's pack so as to separate every card. The 
reason is that the cards get packed in suits in the course of play, and if 
the pack is not well shuffled the trump card wiU not improbably be of the 
same suit as the cards immediately preceding it, which cards are in the 
dealer's hand. 

For a similar resison, it is to the advantage of the dealer to deal the 
hands by two and by three rather than by three and by two. 

A player having the king in his hand, should not announce it till the 
last moment. The non-dealer should not announce the king till in the 
act of leading his first card ; and the dealer should not announce the king 
till after his adversary has led. 

If about to propose with doubtful cards, it is important to propose 
quickly, as hesitation exposes the nature of the hand. It is especially 
necessary to be prompt when proposing with the point certain. 



AcartA 



301 



THE ODDS AT fiCARTE. 

The deal is of no advantage at Ecarte, notwithstanding that the dealer's 
chance of marking the king, as against the non-dealer's, is 66 to 35, or 
not quite 2 to i. This advantage, however, in the opinion of experienced 
players, is more than counterbalanced by the advantages of the lead and 
of the option of proposing. 

When the scores are equal, even money is commonly laid. At unequal 
scores, the odds — in the language of Ecarte players — are always " on the 
table " — i. ^., the score each player has to make is laid against him. For 
instance, at one to love, the betting is 5 to 4 on the player who has scored ; 
at three to one, the betting is 4 to 2 on the player who is at three ; and so 
on. The layer of odds is considered to have a slight advantage through- 
out, except at the point of three with the deal against two, when 3 to 2 
Is a bad bet to lay ; also at four with the deal to three, 2 to i is bad for 
the layer. 

TABLE OF ODDS. 



SCORE. 


ODDS. 


SCORE. 




ODDS. 


Love all 


Even 


2 all 




Even 


I to 


5 to 4 


3 to 2 




*3 to 2 


2 to 


S to 3 


4 to 2 




3 to I 


3 to 

4 to 


5 to 2 
5 to I 


3 all 

4 to 3 




Even 
+2 to T 


tall 
2 to 1 


Even 
4 to 3 


4all 




Even 


1 to 1 
4 to z 


4 to 2 
4 to t 


* Bad to lay if 3 
t Bad to lay if 4 


has the deal, 
has the d«al. 



LAWS OP ECARTE. 

These laws are condensed from Cavendish's rules, which have been 
adopted by all the leading clubs of E^ngland. 

Each player may shuffle the cards. A cut must consist of not less 
than two cards. If more than one card is exposed there must be a 
new cut. The player cutting the highest E:carte card deals and has 
choice of cards and seat also. 

If the dealer exposes an opponent's card the latter can demand a new 
deal, if he makes demand before looking at his cards. A faced card 
voids the deal, unless it happens to be the eleventh or trump card. If a 
mistake in dealing is made and discovered before one trump card is 
turned, the non-dealer may demand a new deal. If either player deal out 



3o^, 



EC ARTE, 



of turn or with the wrong pack, the deal is void. After the deal is com- 
pleted it must stand. If two or more cards are turned up by the dealer, 
his adversary, if he has not looked at his hand, can decide which card 
shall be trump or he may demand a new deal. 

If a non-dealer finds that he has too many cards when the deal is com> 
pleted, he may demand a fresh deal or discard his extra cards, provided 
he has neither proposed nor led a card; if he has too few he may demand 
a new deal or have his hand completed from the stock. If the dealer has 
too many or too few cards, the non-dealer can demand a new deal, or 
draw the extra cards from the dealer, or permit the dealer to fill his hand 
from the stock. This can be done only in case the non-dealer has not 
refused, accepted, nor played the first trick. 

A player cannot look at the cards he has discarded. If a player takes 
more cards than he has discarded, his adversary can demand a new 
deal. If he takes fewer cards he must play with his hand incomplete. 
If more cards or fewer cards are given the non-dealer than he asked for, 
it is optional with him whether he demand a new deal. The same rule 
applies to the dealer. If the elder hand, after several changes of cards, 
proposes again, and the dealer accepts without considering whether there 
are enough cards in the stock, the former may take as many cards there- 
from as he wishes. The dealer may then take the remainder. 

After discarding, both players are entitled to see any faced cards in 
the deck. If a king is turned up the dealer can mark it at any time 
before the trump card of the succeeding deal is turned up. If either 
player has king of trumps he must announce it before playing his first 
card or he cannot mark it. If either player play with an incomplete 
hand, his adversary can count as tricks cards which his opponent cannot 
cover. A player leading a card in turn cannot take it up again, unless it 
is led in reply to a lead, when it can be retaken before another card is 
led, if the player has revoked or failed to win a trick he could have won. 
If a player play out of turn he must take up his card, unless it is 
covered, when the trick holds good. A player who throws down his 
cards shall lose a point if he has taken a trick, aind two if he has not. 
He may be considered to have thrown them down if he lowers them so 
as to give his adversary the idea that he has given up. When a player 
revokes or underfaces, his opponent may demand that the cards be played 
over again. 

In England bystanders are not permitted to interfere, while in France 
those covering stakes may call attention to mistakes, advise a player they 
are backing, or play out the game of a player who resigns. Advice can 
be given by pointing only, and neither cards nor suits may be named. 



ROUN CE. 



A FULL pack is used. The values are as in Whist, and a trump Ii 
turned. Five players make a good game of Rounce ; more than nine 
cannot play. The deal is determined by cutting for the highest card. 
Five cards are dealt by twos and threes to each person, but the dealer 
gives a sixth hand before helping himself, and this is a dummy composed 
of six cards. When all have five cards each, and the dummy six, then 
the last card is turned, which is the trump. The deal goes to the left. 
The object is for each player to make as many tricks as he can. The age 
may take the dummy or not, as he pleases, or he may be contented with 
his five cards, if he elects neither to play nor to use the duMmy, he says, 
*' I pass." If he plays, he says, " I play." If the player j/asses he has no 
interest in the pool, to which every player has contributed one or more 
chips. If the dummy is taken, there being six cards, one is discarded. 
If every player says, " I pass," and the dealer chooses to play, the elder 
hand is forced to play. The dealer has the right to the turned up trump, 
discarding one of his cards. 

The game is fifteen. Generally it is played with a bit of chalk on a 
table. Three St. Andrew's crosses are made, like this XXX. As a 
point is scored, a portion of the crosses effaced thus t X X, would 
mean that the player had made five points. Every trick made scores one 
point, and must be marked at once. If a person playing makes no trick 
at all, he adds five points to his score. Thus, starting with fifteen, a 
player may have twenty points to make, or five more to get rid of than 
jsrhat he commenced with. 

In playing, the age leads, the rest following suit. It is optional to 
trump or not to trump. Suits must be followed. The player winning 
a trick must follow with a lead of trumps, providing he has one. If he 
ttas no trumps, he may lead what he pleases. 

303 



304 ROUNCE. 



RULES. 

The rules of dealing are as in Whist, but the penalties for mistakes are 
that the dealer adds five points to his score, and is rounced. 

The exposure of a card, or playing out of turn, makes the player 
pounced. 

If no one will play against the dealer, he takes off five points from his 
score. 

A revoke brings with it rounce. If a player does not lead trumps aftet 
taking a trick he is rounced. 

The pot belongs to the first player who has effaced his fifteen points. 



JACK-POT ROUNCE. 

This is played in the same way as regular Rounce, only the dealer fore- 
goes the advantage of his trump, if he desires to do so, and no one is 
forced to play against him. Then each player contributes one chip more 
to the pot, and the game continues as before. Another variation of the 
game is to oblige every one to play on the third round, and in this way 
the game is brought more rapidly to a conclusion. 



SHORT RAMSCH. 

Ramsch is a modification of Rounce. It maybe played just as » 
Rounce, with thirty-two cards, four or five persons, with a dummy of siss 
cards ; the last card being the trump. 



GERMAN RAMSCH. 

This is like Rounce, and played with thirty -two cards. A player after 
taking one trick, leads trump ; but if he take a second trick consecutively, 
he need not play trumps. Occasionally what is called Blind Rounce, is 
played. A player then has no trump, but takes the lowest card in his 
hand, places it face down on the table, when the other players must put 
on their trumpi. The modifications of Ramsch are endless. 



ROUNCE. 305 



SKAT RAMSCH, 

(See Skat.) The four matadores are the highest cards, in their regular 
order. Jack of clubs, then spades, hearts, and last diamonds. After 
that the aces, then the kings, queens, and tens. Aces and tens count, 
however, as in Skat. The player having the highest number of points 
loses ; paying, if he has all the points, fifteen chips to each player, but 
less than all the points, ten chips to each. By general consent Ramsch is 
not played in the game of Skat. 

ORDER OF PLAY AT SKAT. 

As Skat is being played in the United States, and the beauties of the 
game discovered, the tendency is to make the declares not backwards as 
in Germany, but in the same direction as are all games of cards played in 
the United States. Why should you deal at Skat to your left, and de- 
clare to your right ? This is the only innovation as to declarations 
which the Editors of Hoyle's Games can allow, in a game in which they 
believe they have helped to introduce into the United States, 



MONTE. 



This is the favorite Mexican and Cuban game, and Is played with 
Spanish cards. Whereas our cards number fifty-two, Spanish cards., 
leaving out the tens, eights, and nines, have forty cards. After shuffling, 
the banker takes two cards from the bottom of the pack and lays them 
on the table, face up, putting them close together. These two cards are 
known as the bottom lay-out. The punters now bet on these two cards. 
The dealer next takes two cards from the top of the pack and places 
them on the table. The punters may bet on these if they wish to, or any 
card in the lay-out. The pack is now taken and held in the banker*s 
hand, face upward. What was the bottom card is now on top. This is 
Known as the top card. There being four lay-out cards, if the card 
shown on the top be of the same kind, the punter wins one-half of his 
stake. If it is not, the banker wins the entire stake. The banker draws 
the cards one by one, until the whole thirty-six cards have been shown. 
This concludes a deal. A punter may wager what he pleases against the 
bank, the only limit being what amount is in the bank. The percent- 
age in favor of the bank is very large. If equal amounts were always 
wagered on the four cards of the lay-out, it would be even more in his 
^avor. 



306 



SLOBBERHANNES, 



A Euchre pack is used, and is dealt two at a time to four players, 
each player receiving eight cards. No trump is made. It is not a game 
of partners. The value of cards is as in Whist. Suits must be followed ; 
if not, any card may be put on a trick. 

Slobberhannes is a game where the endeavor is made to take no tricks 
or make no points. Ten being the losing score, tricks and certain cards 
count points against the player who secures them. To make ten first is 
to lose the game. 

Taking the first trick counts one against the player making it. The 
last trick made counts another. Any player making the queen of clubs 
has a point scored against him. Should a player take the first trick, the 
last one, and get the queen of clubs among his tricks, instead of three, 
he has one more point added to his score, and is declared Slobberhannes. 
In some respects Slobberhannes resembles Hoarts. 

If a player revokes he is further penalized and one point is added to 
his score. 

^307) 



QUADRILLE. 



•The game of Quadrille is played by four persons, and the number o! 
cards required is forty ; the four tens, nines, and eights being discarded 
from the pack. The deal is made by distributing the cards to each player, 
three at a time for two rounds, and four for one round, commencing witti 
the right-hand player — the elder hand. 

The trump is made by the person who plays, with or without calling, 
by naming spades, clubs, diamonds, or hearts, and the suit so named be- 
comes trumps. 

The two following tables will show the rank and order of the cards 
when trumps, or when not so : 

RANK AND ORDER OF THE CARDS WHEN TRUMPS. 



CLUBS AND SPADES. 


HEARTS AND DIAMONDS. 


Spadille, 


the ace of spades. 


Spadille, the ace of spades. 


Manille, 


the deuce of spades or of 


Manille, the seven of hearts or of 


clubs. 




diamonds. 


,Basto, the ace of clubs. 


Basto, the ace of clubs. 






Punto, the ace of hearts or of dia» 






monds. 


King:. 


Sir. 


King. Three. 


QueeB. 


Five. 


Queen. Four. 


Knave. 


Four. 


Knave. Five. 


Seven. 


Three. 


Deuce. Six. 




XI in an. * 


X2inaIL 



308 



QUADRILLE. 



309 



RANK AND ORDER OF THE CARDS WHEN NOT 
TRUMPS. 



CLT 


JBS AND SPADES. 


HEARTS AND DIAMONPS. 


King:. 


Five. 


King. 


Three. 


Queen. 


Four. 


Queen. 


Four. 


Knave. 


Three. 


Knave. 


Five. 


Seven. 


Deuce. 


Ace. 


Six. 


Six. 




Deuce. 


Seven. 




9 in all. 




10 in all. 



Thus it will be seen that spadille and basto are always trumps ; and 
that the red suits have one trump more than the black, the former twelve, 
and the latter only eleven. 

Between spadille and basto there is a trump called manille — in black 
the deuce, and in red the seven ; they are the second cards when trumps, 
and the last in their respective suits when not trumps. Example : the 
deuce of spades being second trump when they are trumps, and the 
lowest cards when clubs, hearts, or diamonds are trumps, and so of 
the rest. 

Punto is the ace of hearts or diamonds, which are above the king, and 
the fourth trump when either of those suits are trumps, but are below the 
knave and ace of diamonds or hearts, when they are not trumps. The 
two of hearts or diamonds is always superior to the three ; the three to 
the four ; the four to the five ; and the five to the six ; the six is only 
superior to the seven when it is not trumps ; for when the seven is manille 
it is the second trump. 

There are three matadores, viz., spadille, manille, and basto, whose 
privilege is, when the player has no other trumps but them, and trumps 
are led, he is not obliged to play them, but may play what card he thinks 
proper ; provided, however, that the trump led is of an inferior value ; 
but if spadille should be led, he that has manille or basto only is com- 
pelled to lead it, which is the case with basto in respect to manille, the 
superior loatadore always forcing the inferior. 

TERMS USED IN QUADRILLE. 

To ASK LEAVE IS to ask leave to play with a partner, by calling a king. 
Basto. — The ace of clubs, always the third best trump. 
Bast is a penalty incurred by not winning when you stand your game, 
or by renouncing ; in which cases you pay as many counters as are down. 
Cheville is being between the eldest hand and the dealer. 



310 QUADRILLE. 

CODILLE is when those who defend the pool make more triclcs thafi 
those who defend the game, which is called winning the codille. 

Consolation is a claim to the game, always paid by those who lose, 
whether by codille or demise. 

Devole is when he who stands the game makes no trick. 

Double is to play for double stakes with regard to the game, the con- 
folation, the sans prendre, the matadores, and the devole. 

Force. — The ombre is said to be forced when a strong trump is played 
for the adversary to over-trump. He is, likewise, said to be forced when 
he asks leave, and one of the other players obliges him to play sans pren- 
dre ; or pass, by offering to play sans prendre. 

Forced Spadille is, when all have passed, he who has spadille is 
obliged to play it. 

Forced Sans Prendre is, when having asked leave, one of the players 
offers to play alone, in which case you are obliged to play alone or pass. 

Friend is the player who has the king called. 

Impasse. — To make the impasse is when, being in cheville, the knave 
of a suit is played, of which the player has the king. 

Manille is, in black, the deuce of spades or clubs ; in red, the seven 
of hearts or diamonds, and is always the second best trump. 

Mark means the fish put down by the dealer. 

Mille is a mark of ivory which is sometimes used, and stands for ten fish. 

Matadores, or Matts, are spadille, manille, and basto, which are 
always the three best trumps. False matadores are any sequence of 
trumps, following the matadores regularly. 

Ombre is the name given to him who stands the game, by calling or 
playing sans appeler or sans prendre. 

Party is the duration of the game, according to the number of tours 
agreed to be played. 

Pass is the term used when you have not either a hand to play alone, 
or with calling a king. 

Ponto, or PuNTO, is the ace of diamonds, when diamonds are trumps ; 
or hearts, when they are trumps, and is then the fourth trump. 

Pool. — The pool consists of fish staked for the deals, or the counters 
put down by the players, or the basts which go to the game. To defend 
the pool is to be against him who stands the game. 

Prise is the number of fish or counters given to each player at the 
commencement of the game. 

Regle is the order to be observed at the game. 

Remise is when they who stand the game do not make more tricks 
than they who defend the pool, and then they lose by remise. 



QUADRILLE. 3II 

Renounce is, not to play in the suit led when you have it ; likewise^ 
when not having any of the suit led, you win with a card that is the onlj 
one you have of that suit in which you play. 

Reprise is synonymous with party. 

Report is synonymous with reprise and party. 

Roi rendu is the king surrendered when called and g^ven to the 
ombre, for which he pays a fish ; in which case, the person to whom the 
gfame is given up must win the game alone. 

Spadille is the ace of spades, which is always the best trump. 

Sans appeler is playing without calling a king. 

Sans prendre is erroneously used for sans appeler, meaning the 
same. 

Tenace is to wait with two trumps that must make when he who has 
two others is obhged to lead, such as the two black aces against manille 
or punto. 

Tours are the counters, which they who win put down, to mark the 
number of coups played. 

Vole is to get all the tricks, either with a friend or alone, sans pren- 
dre, or declared at the first of the deal. 



LAWS OF QUADRILLE. 

1. The cards are to be dealt by fours and threes, and in no other man- 
ner. The dealer is at liberty to begin by four or three. If in dealing 
there is a faced card there must be a new deal, unless it is the last card. 

2. If there are too many or too few cards, it fs also a new deal. 

3. For dealing wrongly, the dealer must deal again. 

4. He who has asked leave is obliged to play. 

5. No one should play out of his turn ; if, however, he does, he is not 
basted for it, but the card played may be called at any time in that deal, 
provided it does not cause a revoke ; or either of the adversaries may de« 
mand the partner of him who played out of his turn, or his own partner, 
to play any suit he thinks fit. 

6. No matadore can be forced but by a superior matt ; but the superioi 
forces the inferior, when led by the first player. 

7. Whoever names any suit for trumps must abide by it, even though it 
should happen to be his worst suit. 

8. If you play with eleven cards you are basted. 

Q. If you play sans prendre, or have matadores, you are to demant^ 



312 QUADRILLE. 

them before the next dealer has finished his deal, otherwise you lose the 
benefit. 

10. If any one names his trump without asking leave, he must play 
alone, unless the youngest hand and the rest have passed. 

11. If any person plays out of his turn, the card may be called at anj 
time, or the adversary may call a suit. 

12. If the person who won the sixth trick plays the seventh card, he 
must play the vole. 

13. If you have four kings, you may call a queen to one of your kings, 
or call one of your kings ; but you must not call the queen of trumps. 

14. If a card is separated from the rest, and it is seen, it must be 
played, if the adverse party has seen it, unless the person who separated 
it plays sans prendre. 

15. If the king called or his partner plays out of his turn, no vole can 
be played. 

16. No one is to be basted for a renounce, unless the trick is turned 
and quitted ; and if any person renounces and it is discovered, if the 
player should happen to be basted by such renounce, all the parties are to 
take up their cards and play them over again. 

17. Forced spadille is not obliged to make three tricks. 

18. The person who undertakes to play the vole has the preference of 
playing before him who offers to play sans prendre. 

19. The player is entitled to know who is his king called, before he oe 
Clares for the vole. 

20. \Vhen six tricks are won, the person who won the sixth must say, 
** I play — or do not play — the vole "; or " I ask "; and no more. 

21. H« who has passed once has no right to play after, unless he has 
spadille ; and he who asks must play, unless somebody else plays sans 
prendre. 

22. If the players show their cards before they have won six tricks, they 
may be called. 

23. Whoever has asked leave cannot play sans prendre, unless he is 
rorced. 

24. Any person may look at the tricks when he is to lead. 

25. Whoever, playing for a vole, loses it, has a right to stakes, saw 
prendre, and matadores. 

26. Forced spadille cannot play for the vole. 

27. If any person discover his game he cannot play the vole. 

28. No one is to declare how many trumps are out. 

29. He who plays and does not win three tricks, is basted alone, unless 
forced spadille. 



QUADRILLE 2,\^ 

30. If there are two cards of a sort, it is a void deal, if discovered befoio 
the deal is played out. 



MAXIMS FOR LEARNERS. 

When you are the ombre, and your friend leads from a matt, play yout 
best trump, and then lead the next best the first opportunity. 

If you possess all the trumps continue to lead Ihem, except you hold 
certain other winning cards. 

If all the other matts are not revealed by the time you have six tricks, 
do not run a risk in playing for the vole. 

When you are the friend called, and hold only a matt, lead it ; but if 
it is guarded by a small trump, lead that. But when the ombre is last 
player, lead the best trump you possees. 

Punto in red, or king of trumps in black, are good cards to lead when 
you are best ; and should either of them succeed, then play a small 
trump. 

If the ombre leads to discover his friend, and you have king, queen, 
and knave, put on the knave. 

Preserve the suit called, whether friend or foe. 

When playing against a lone hand, never lead a king, unless you have 
the queen ; nor change the suit : and prevent, if possible, the ombre from 
being last player. 

You are to call your strongest suits, except you have a queen guarded : 
and if elder hand, you have a better chance than middle hand. 

A good player may play a weaker game, either elder or younger, than 
middle hand. 



MODE OF PLAYING QUADRILLE. 

Hoyle has the following directions for playing the game of Quadrille 
scientifically ; 

The first thing to be done, after you have seen your cards, is, to ask 
leave to pass, or play, sans prendre ; and if you name a wrong trump 
you must abide by it. 

If all the players pass, he who has spadille is obliged to play ; but if ho 
does not take three tricks, he is not basted. 



3^4 QUADRILLE. 

The player ought to have a fair probability of winning three tricks 
when he calls a king, to prevent his being basted. 

Therefore we will set down such games only as give a fair chance to 
win tlie game by calling a king, with directions at the end of each case 
what trump you are ^o lead. 

Various calculations and -^kxamples of games are then given. These, 
hvTiwever, are too lenfif4^ fm my purpose. 



SIXTY- SIX. 



INTRODUCTORY. 

The game of Sixty-six is usually played by two persons, with a pack 
of twenty-four cards, the twos, threes, fours, fives, sixes, sevens, and 
eights baing thrown out from a pack of fifty-two cards. 

DEALING. 

The players having cut for deal (see Law 3), the pack is shuffled, and 
the non-dealer cuts it. The dealer reunites the cut packets, and gives six 
cards to each player by three at a time, commencing with his adversary. 
The thirteenth card, now the top of the undealt cards, is turned up for 
trumps. The trump card is placed face upward between the players, and 
the remainder of the pack (called the stock) is placed face downward by 
the trump card and slightly spread, so that cards may be easily taken 
from it during the play. 

PLAYING AND DECLARING. 

The non-dealer now leads any card he pleases from his hand. The 
dealer plays to it any card he pleases from his hand, without restriction 
as to suit or value. The two cards thus played constitute a tj'tck. The 
highest card of the suit led wins the trick, the cards ranking ace (highest) 
ten, king, queen, knave, nine (lowest) Trumps win other suits. 

The winner of the trick places it face downward in front of himselfo 
Tricks turned and quitted must not be looked at again during the play. 
This is the strict rule ; but sometimes, by previous agreement, each play« 
er is allowed to examine his own tricks. 

The winner of the trick then draws the top card of the stocky his adver- 
sary the next card, the number of cards in hand being thus restored to six, 
as at first. The winner then leads to the next trick, his opponent plays to 
it, and so on, alternately playing and drawing, until the stock is exhausted, 
or sixty-six is announced, or one of the players closes. 

315 



3i6 



SIXTY^SIX. 



The objects of the play are to win counting cards in the tricks, and to 
declare marriages. 

Each player, for each card in the tricks won by him, counts toward 
sixty-six as follows : 



For an ace , . . . ii 

For a ten lo 

For a king . • . . 4 



For a queen . , . • 3 
For a knave .... 2 
The nine has no value. 



Marriage consists of king and queen of the same suit held in the hand 
d1 one player. A marriage can only be declared after winning a trick, 
and before leading again ; consequently the non-dealer cannot declare 
when he leads his first card. 

Marriage is declared by showing the king and queen. A player having 
de'hared a marriage must then lead one of the declared cards. The im- 
mediate lead of a declared card being compulsory, it follows that only one 
marriage can be declared at a time. A declared marriage counts just the 
same, whether the card of it led wins the trick or not. 

Marriage in trumps, when declared, counts forty ; marriage in a plain 
suit, when declared, counts twenty. 

A player having won a trick, and drawing or holding the nine of 
trumps, may exchange it for the turn-up card at any time^ whether he is 
the leader or not, unless it happens to be the bottom card of the stock, 
when the player drawing it must keep it. Nothing is counted for ex- 
changing. Exchanging does not involve the necessity of closing. 

As the hand proceeds, each player has to keep in mind the count made 
by tricks and marriages, both by his adversary and himself. No record 
of the count toward sixty-six is allowed to be set up. 

LAST SIX TRICKS. 

When the stock is exhausted all but one card, the winner of the trick 
takes that card, his adversary the turn-up or nine exchanged for it, and 
the play of the last six tricks commences. The rule of play now alters in 
one particular. The second player must follow suit, if able (see Law 17). 
It is not compulsory to win the trick. Marriages can still be declared. 

When the hand is thus played out to the end, the last trick of all (/. ^., 
the twelfth trick) counts ten toward sixty-six. 

ANNOUNCING. 

During the play of the hand, if either player by tricks and marriages 
arrives at the count of sixty-six or more, he may announce it whenever he 



SIXTY-SIX, 317 

has the lead ; the same if the hand is played out, and the addition of ten 
for the twelfth trick makes the winner of it sixty-six or more. When 
sixty-six is announced, and the claim allowed, the hand is at an end, and 
the player announcing scores toward the game as follows : 

Three points, if the adversary has no count that hand ; 

Two points, if the adversary has counted less than thirty-three ; 

One point, if the adversary has counted thirty-three or more. 

The game is seven points up. The points may be scored as at Long 
Whist, or by means of a marking-board. 

It will be observed that the player first correctly announcing sixty-six 
wins, not the one first arriving at sixty-six. It sometimes happens, more 
especially with beginners, that a player is sixty-six and is in doubt as to 
his exact score. If he plays on, his adversary may win a trick or two, 
and announce sixty-six first. 

When a player announces sixty-six, the tricks maybe examined to 
ascertain whether the announcement is correct. 

When sixty-six is announced, whether correctly or not, no more cards 
are played, and counting cards in hand and unplayed are of no value. 
If incorrectly announced. Law 18 comes into operation. 

It is possible that the hand may be played out to the end without either 
player announcing, when no points are scored, and the deal passes to the 
adversary. In this case, whether by mistake in counting, or by both 
players counting sixty-five, it is sometimes ruled that the winner next 
hand may add one point to his score ; but the practice is not recom- 
mended. Each hand should be distinct in itself. 

CLOSING. 

If, before the stock is exhausted, a player has winning cards enough in 
his hand to make sixty-six, he may close after winning a trick, and before 
leading again. Thus, a player having dealt to him originally ace, ten, 
king, and queen of trumps, may lay them down and score three points, as 
these cards count in themselves sixty-eight, and the player holding them 
must win the first trick. 

But closing generally takes place during the play of the hand. If a 
player who has won a trick thinks he has winning cards enough in his 
hand, together with the count he has already made by tricks, or by 
tricks and marriages, to enable him to arrive at sixty-six or more, he may 
close whenever he has the lead. He signifies his intention by turning 
down the trump card. It follows from this, that a player cannot close 
after the stock is exhausted. If, when the trump card is turned down, 



3i8 SIXTY-SIX. 

cither player who has won a trick holds the nine of trumps, he may ex- 
changee it before he plays to the next trick. 

Some players permit closing by the original leader, when he has first to 
lead. If this rule prevails, a player holding the nine of trumps may ex- 
change, notwithstanding that he has not won a trick. 

The leader may close either before or after drawing from the stock. 
His adversary has no choice, but must follow the leader's example, and 
play either with or without drawing. 

After the leader has closed the drawing ceases, and the last five or six 
tricks (as the case may be) are played, following the mles of play of the 
last six tricks, except that there is no score for winning the last trick. 

If the player closing makes sixty-six or more, he scores one, two, or 
three points toward game, according to his opponent's count. If the 
player closing fails to count sixty-six, or if his adversary wins a trick after 
the game is closed, and correctly announces sixty-six before the player 
closing announces sixty-six, the adversary scores one point if the closing 
player is thirty-three or more ; two points if the closing player is less than 
thirty-three. 

If a player closes before his opponent has won a trick, and fails to 
count sixty-six, the opponent scores three points. 

THREE-HANDED SIXTY-SIX. 

The dealer gives the other two players each six cards, by three at a 
time, commencing to his left, but none to himself. When the hand is 
ended, he scores the same number of points as the winner ; but the dealer 
cannot score beyond six in any hand. The deal passes in rotation to the 
left. The first deal is a slight advantage, as the dealer must score. The 
player who first makes seven wins, and leaves the other two to play 
to decide the loser. The loser pays the stake to each of the other players, 
and has the first deal next game. If, when the first player who is out has 
to deal next, he deals before retiring, otherwise the lead would be re- 
versed to the other two players. 

FOUR-HANDED SIXTY-SIX. 

The sevens and eights are left in the pack. The players cut for deal 
and for partners, as at Whist, except that the highest deals. The deal and 
play of the cards is conducted as at Whist, except that a player, unable to 
follow suit, must trump if able to head or win the trick, and when trumps 
are led the players must head the trick, if able. The trump card belongs 
to the dealer, and cannot be exchanged, and there is no marriage or 



SIXTY. SIX, oiQ 

closing;. The counting cards in the tricks reckon the same as at Sixty- 
six, and the winners of the last trick add ten to their score. If at the end 
of the hand the winners count sixty-six, and less than a hundred, they 
mark one point ; if over a hundred and less than a hundred and thirty, 
two points ; if they win every trick, three points. The side winning the 
ten of trumps scores a point at once. 



HOW TO PLAY SIXTY-SIX. 

T. The safest cards to lead are nines or knaves of plain suits. It is, 
as a rule, better to lead a ten or an ace than a king or queen, but so mudi 
depends on the count that no general rule can be given. 

2. The latter part of Hint i does not apply to a suit of which the king 
or queen has been played. 

3. Win a trick with an ace in preference to a ten, and, having declared 
a marriage, lead the queen m preference to the king. 

4. As a rule, holding the nine of trumps, do not exchange until the last 
moment, that the adversary may be kept in the dark as to the position of 
the nine. If exchanging the turn-up card completes a marriage in trumps, 
the player holding the nine and having the lead, would generally do right 
to exchange at once. 

5. It is most important to keep in mind the count made by both players, 
to be able on the one hand to announce sity-six as soon as it is made, and 
on the other hand to judge when to close. In most hands this depends 
on the counts. No positive rule can be laid down ; but, generally, begin* 
ners miss their opportunity by not closing sufficiently early. 

6. Closing is generally done in order to score, but it should not t>e for- 
gotten that it is occasionally resorted to to save a point— ^. g. , the leader, 
;ounting less than thirty-three, may know that he must lose two points if 
Ae does not close ; by closing he may be able to count thirty-three or 
more. He should then close, although it may be impossible for him to 
reach sixty-six. 

7. When playing the last six tricks, or after closing, of course the for* 
mer part of Hint i does not apply. 

8. If a **i«-"*T rsnd^ra hi^iself liable to Laws 1:^-15, order a draw if 
-.^.^-rcxwrj aarr: ot sconng two de Hirre pomts ; out, if not, end the handf 
And score one point. 



320 SIXTY-SIX. 



LAWS OF SIXTY-SIX. 

SHUFFLING. 

1. Each player has a right to shuffle. The dealer has the right Of 
shuffling last. 

2. The pack must not be shuffled below the table, nor so that the faces 

of the cards can be seen. 

CUTTING. 

3. At least two cards must be cut, and at least two cards must be left 
in the lower packet. In cutting for deal, the person who cuts first should 
leave sufficient cards to enable the other to comply with the above pro- 
vision. The highest Sixty-six card deals, and has choice of cards and 
seats. 

4. If more than one card is exposed in cutting for deal, the adversary 
may select which of the exposed cards he pleases, and treat it as the one 
cut. If a card is exposed in cutting to the dealer, there must be a 
fresh cut. 

5. If the dealer exposes a card in reuniting the cut packets, or if there 
is any confusion of the cards, or if the dealer shuffles after the pack is 
cut, there must be a fresh cut. 

DEALING. 

6. The players deal alternately throughout the game. 

7. If the dealer gives his adversary or himself too few cards, and the 
error is not discovered until after the trump card is turned up, the number 
must be completed from the stock. The non-dealer, not having looked at 
his cards, may, if he prefers it, have a fresh deal (see Lav/ 10, b), 

8. If the dealer gives his adversary or himself too many cards, and the 
error is not discovered until after the trump card is turned up, the player 
having too many must not draw until his number is reduced to five. The 
non-dealer, not having looked at his cards, may, if he prefers it, have a 
fresh deal (see Law 10, b) . 

9. If a card is exposed in dealing, the adversary has the option of 9 
fresh deal, the same dealer dealing again. 

10. There must be a fresh deal : 

{a). If the dealer deals without having the pack cut. 

(d). If the dealer deals out of order {e. g.^ gives the wrong num* 
ber of cards, the error being discovered before the trumy 
card is turned up), or turns up two cards. 

(^. If tliere is a faced card ia the oad^ 



SIXTY-SIX, 32T 

11. If a player deals out of turn, he may be stopped at any time befOW 
the trump card is turned ; if v^\ stopped, the deal stands good. 

PLAYING AND DRAWING. 

12. If a player leads out of turn, or, having announced a marriage, 
leads a wrong card, there is no penalty. If the adversary plays to th« 
card led, the error cannot be rectified. 

13. If a player fails to draw when he ought, and plays anotner carc^ 
his adversary may allow the offender to draw and proceed with the game; 
or he may score one point, and end the hand. 

14. If a player draws out of his turn, and his adversary follows the 
draw, there is no penalty. If the adversary discovers the error before 
drawing, he may draw and proceed with the game ; or he may score one 
point, and end the hand. 

15. If a player draws when he has six cards in his hand, his adversary 
may proceed with the game, and require the offender to play next time 
without drawing ; or he may score one point, and end the hand. 

16. If the player whose turn it is to draw first, lifts two cards in draw- 
ing, his adversary may have them both turned face upward, *md then 
choose which he will take. If the player whose turn it is to draw second 
lifts two cards, his adversary has a right to see the one improperly lifted, 
and at the next draw the top two cards are turned face upward, and the 
player not in fault may choose which he will take. 

17. If, after the stock is exhausted, or there is a close, a player does 
not follow suit, when able, he can score no point that hand, and his ad- 
versary marks two points ; or three if the offender has no count toward 
sixty-six. 

18. If a player announces sixty-six, and on examination it appears that 
he cannot count as much, his adversary scores two points, and the hand 
is ended. 

19. The turned and quitted tricks must not be searched during the play 
of the hand. 

INCORRECT PACKS. 

20. If a pack is discovered to be incorrect, redundant, or imperfect, the 
deal in which the discovery is made is void. All preceding deals aDd 
the cut for ^^A stand good. 



IMPERIAL. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE GAME. 

INTRODUCTORY. 

The game of Imperial is played by two persons, with a pack of thirty* 
two cards ; the sixes, fives, fours, threes, and twos being thrown out from 
a complete pack of fifty-two cards. It is convenient to use two packs, 
each being dealt with alternately, 

DEALING. 

The players cut for deal. The highest deals. The cards rank in the 
following order, both in cutting and playing : king (highest), queen, 
knave, ace, ten, nine, eight, seven (lowest). 

The cards are cut by the non-dealer, or elder hand^ to the dealer, or 
younger hand. The dealer reunites the packets and deals the top card? 
to his adversary, the next to himself, and so on, till they have twelve 
cards apiece. The deal may be of two cards at a time to each, or of 
three at a time to each. 

The twenty-fifth card, now the top of the pack, is turned up for trumps. 
Should it be an honor (king, queen, knave, ace, or seven) the dealer 
marks one. Otherwise, the turn-up merely indicates the trump suit foi 
that deal. The remainder of the pack (called the stocky is placed face 
downward on the table, with the turn-up card face upward upon it. 

The players deal alternately throughout the game. 

CALLING AND SHOWING. 

The deal having been completed, the players next show or call certain 
cx)mbinations of the cards in hand, or in hand together with the turn-up, 
and score for them. These combinati/3ns are imperials and the point. 

Imperials are : 

I. A carte blanche — i, e,^ a hand which contains neither king, queen, 
flor knave. 

322 



IMPERIAL. 323 

2. Any quart-major— J. ^., sequence of king, queen, knave, ace, of the 
same suit. 

3. Four kings, four queens, four knaves, four aces, or four sevens. 

4. Some players also allow a won imperial, — /. e.^ if ace, knave of trumps 
are won by one player with king, queen, or queen, ace by king, knave, in 
playing the cards. But this score is not recommended. 

Except in the case of carte blanche the turn-up card may be used by 
either player in forming an imperial. For instance : A knave is turned 
up. One player has three knaves in his hand. He can score an imperial 
of knaves. His adversary holds king, queen, ace of trumps. He can score 
an imperial for quart-major in trumps. 

Each player scores an imperial for every imperial he holds, and two 
imperials for carte bla7iche. Thus : A has in hand, or with the turn-up, 
four kings, four queens, and four knaves. He scores three imperials. 
B has carte blanche^ and, either in hand, or with the turn-up, four aces 
and four sevens. He scores four imperials. 

The elder hand has precedence in scoring imperials. 

The point is scored by the player who calls and shows the suit of great- 
est strength, according to the following way of valuing it : The king, 
queen, knave, are valued at ten apiece, the ace at eleven, and the other 
cards at the number of pips on each. Thus : suppose the elder hand has 
king, ace, nine, eight, as his best suit, he announces it by calling V* Thirty- 
eififht." 

If the younger hand has no suit of greater or equal value, he replies, 
*' Good." If his best suit also makes thirty-eight, or whatever number 
may be called, he replies, " Equal." If the younger hand has a point of 
more than thirty-eight, or whatever number may be called, he replies, 
" Not good." 

If the point is equal neither player scores for point. 

The elder hand first shows any imperials he may hold. If he has no 
imperial he calls his point. 

Before replying to the call of point, the younger hand shows any impe* 
rials he may hold. If he has no imperials, he replies, " Good," *' Equal,-* 
or " Not Good," to the call of point. If the elder hand's point is good 
he shows it and scores for it, and leads a card. If the point is equal he 
shows it, and leads a card. If his point is not good he leads a card. 

If the younger hand's point is good he shows it and scores for it after 
his adversary has led, and before he plays to the card led. If equal, bs 
shows his equality before he plays to the card led. 



324 IMPERIAL, 



PLAYING. 

If carte blanche is held, each player scores any imperials he may have. 
Nz) point is called. The hand is then at an end, and the next dealer deals. 

Except in the case of carte blanche^ after imperials and the point are 
declared, the elder hand leads any card from, his hand he pleases. The 
younger hand plays to the card led, the two cards so played constitut- 
ing a t7'ick. The younger hand is bound to follow suit if able. He is 
not obliged to win the trick, and if he has no card of the suit led, he may 
play any card from his hand he pleases. 

The highest card of the suit led wins the trick. Trumps win other 
suits. The winner of the trick leads to the next, and so on till the hand 
is played out. 

During the play of the hand each honor (king, queen, knave, ace, or 
seven of trumps) is scored by the player who wins the trick containing 
it. If an honor is led and wins, or is won by, another honor, the winner 
of the trick scores for both honors. Similarly, if the card led is trumped 
with an honor, the winner of the trick scores for it. 

The player who wins more than six tricks, scores for each trick he wins 
above six. If each wins six tricks, the cards are divided^ and there is no 
score for tricks. 

During the play of the cards the tricks are left face upward on the table, 
in front of the player winning them. Either player may examine the tricks 
at any time. 

For the sake of convenience, cards shown in reckoning imperials or the 
point are taken in hand again. But all cards scored for, or, in the case of 
the point, scored for as good, or shown as equal, must be exhibited to the 
adversary, if demanded, at any time during the play of the cards. Among 
players, the cards are not, as a rule, exhibited again, but all necessary 
questions with regard to them are replied to. Thus : A scores a point of 
thirty-eight. During the play, if B inquires, " How many of your point 
have you in hand ? " A is bound to tell him. The information need only 
be given as to cards actually shown as good or equal. Thus, if B 
(younger hand) had a suit of five hearts, but only showed four of them 
for point, and has played two of the cards he showed, and A then says, 
"How many hearts?" B is entitled to reply, " Two," though he has 
three. The inquirer is bound in effect to say, *' How many hearts that 
you have shown ? " and B's reply is understood by all players in that 
sense. 



JMPERIAL. 32, 



SCORING. 

Each player should be furnished with five white counters and five red 
ones, or with five round counters and five long; ones ; the latter are to be 
preferred. A long counter is equal to six round ones. The score should 
be marked to the right hand ; the counters not in use should be kept to 
the left hand. 

The scores are as follows : 

1. Honor turned up, scores one (marked with a round counter). 

2. An imperial scores six (marked with a long counter). Carte blanch$ 
scores twelve (marked with two long counters). 

3. The point scores one (marked with a round counter). 

4. Honors won during the play of the hand, each scores one (marked 
with round counters). 

5. The cards. Each trick above six scores one (marked with round 
counters) . 

When the score of six is reached by the aggregation of scores for honor 
turned up, point, honors won in play, or the cards, and imperial is scored 
— /. e. , the round counters are taken down, and a long counter is trans- 
ferred to the right hand. 

The score of an imperial, either in hand or by the aggregation of small 
scores up to six, takes down any score of the adversary less than an im- 
perial. Thus : A has four marked toward an imperial. B has five, deals, 
and turns up an honor. B scores six, takes down his five round counters, 
and puts up a long one. A has to take down his four round counters, 
and the score stands, B, one imperial to love. 

Observe, only scores less than an imperial are taken down. Thus : If, 
in the case above given, A had an imperial and four marked, he would 
only take down his four, not his imperial, and the score would stand, one 
imperial all. 

There is one exception to this rule. If both players hold an imperial 
in hand (or if one holds an imperial and the other two or more imperials),, 
each scores his imperial or imperials, but neither takes down his score, if 
any, less than an imperial. 

In scoring, it is important to keep in mind the order in which the scores 
are reckoned. Honor turned up counts first ; then imperials in hand ; 
then the point ; then honors won in play ; and, lastly, the cards. 

Some examples will show how this precedence alTects the score. 

A has an imperial in hand, and has four marked toward an imperial. 
B has five marked toward an imperial, deals, and turns up an honor. As 



326 



IMPERIAL. 



Ap honor turned up reckons before an imperial in hand, B scores an im« 
perial, and A has to take down his four. 

But suppose B does not turn up an honor. A shows his imperial, and 
(unless B also has an imperial), B has to take down his five, and the score 
stands, A, one imperial and four to love. 

Again : Suppose, at five-all toward an imperial, B turns up an honor, 
and both he and A hold an imperial in hand. As B's honor turned up 
reckons before an imperial in hand, and as it makes him six, he scores an 
imperial, and A has to take down his five. Each player then scores the 
imperial in hand, and the score stands, A, one imperial ; B, two imperials. 

Again : A has four, and B has five scored toward an imperial. The 
last two cards in the play of the hand are two honors, and are won by A. 
B has already won seven tricks. Nevertheless, A scores an imperial, be- 
cause honors won in play reckon before tricks. B has to take down his 
score of five points. 

The hand is not completed when an imperial is gained. Scores which 
accrue subsequently to the score of an imperial, are marked toward the 
next imperial. Thus, in the case last given, A takes down his four and 
marks an imperial. B takes down his five ; but, as he wins one trick, he 
sets up one toward the next imperial Among players, B would say, *' I 
win one by the cards," and would take down four of his round counters, 
leaving one up. The score would then stand, A, one imperial and love • 
B, one. 

Similarly, a player winning an imperial, and having other scores in the 
same hand, counts them on to the next imperial. For example : A has a 
score of four. He has the point good, making him five. He then leads 
the king of trumps, which captures another honor, for which he scores 
two. This makes him an imperial, and one toward the next imperial. 
The play of the hand continues, and each player marks toward the next 
imperial any honors he may win, or any tricks above six he may make. 

One more example : A has a score of four ; B has a score of one. A 
<hows an imperial. His score is then one imperial and four to love. B 
now scores the point, wins two honors in play, and scores three. A also 
wins an honor, and scores one, making him five. B wins four by cards. 
He scores seven — i. e.^ he marks an imperial, and one toward the next; 
and the score stands, one imperial all (A having to take down his score 
of five) ; B, one toward the next imperial. 

The number of imperials that shall constitute a game is a matter of 
agreement. It is recommended that the game be won by the player who 
first wins six imperials ; and for this reason each player is provided with 
five long counters. 



IMPERIAL. 327 



ADVICE HOW TO PLAY IMPERIAL. 

1. The deal is an advantage, as there is the chance of turning up an 
honor. Also, the younger hand does not expose his cards to the same 
extent as the elder in calling or showing the point, and, except the leader 
has a strong sequence in any suit, he opens it to a disadvantage. 

2. On taking up your hand, after having looked for any imperials, note 
what imperials there may be against you. These, if not shown, you may 
assume are not held by your opponent. Hence you gain an insight into 
his hand. 

3. Similarly, with regard to the point. If your point of, say, four cards 
is good, your adversary cannot hold five cards of any suit. Suppose you 
call a point of thirty-four, and it is allowed to be good. You may take 
it as certain that your adversary has three cards of each suit in his hand, 
a knowledge of which fact may be of great assistance to you in playing 
the cards. 

Again : Your adversary, elder hand, announces a point of thirty-nine, 
which is not good. Thirty-nine can only be made with three tenth cards 
(king, queen, knave, or ten) and a nine, or with two tenth cards, an ace, 
and an eight. You should examine your hand to ascertain whether the 
cards called can only be in a given suit. If so, you know four cards in 
the opponent's hand. 

The following table shows of what cards a point which is not shown 
must consist : 

A point of 34 must contain 7, 8, 9, and a tenth card. 

4t jt *» j 7» 8, and two tenth cards. 

^^ ( 7, 8, 9, and an ace. 

41 ^ 44 4t i 7» 9> ^^^ ^'^^ tenth cards. 

2 / 7? 8, ace, and a tenth card. 



and three tenth cards. 

37 ** ** -^ 8, 9, and two tenth cards, 
ace, and a tenth card. 

three tenth cards. 

38 ** *' "^ 8, 9, ace, and a tenth card, 
and two tenth cards. 



( 7 am 
i8,9, 
(7. 9. 
( 8 and thn 
\ 8, 9, ace, 
( 7, ace, an 

,4 44 4t j 9 and three tenth cards. 

29 I 8, ace, and two tenth cards. 

,4 >io c< <» i Four tenth cards. 

^ (9, ace, and two tenth cards. 

" 41 " " Ace and three tenth cards. 

For points from forty-four to fifty-one it is only necessary to add a 



328 IMPERIAL. 

tenth card to these. Fifty can only be made in one way, viz., with 9, 
ace, and three tenth cards. Higher points follow a similar rule. 

4. If the younger hand's point is good, he should only show so much 
of it as is requisite to beat the point called by the elder hand. Thus : if 
the elder hand calls thirty-eight for point, and the younger hand holds 
king, queen, ace, eight, seven, of a suit, he should only show king, queen, 
ace, eight, which make thirty-nine. 

If the elder hand has occasion to ask the younger how many cards of 
his point he has in hand, he must not forget that the younger only 
answers with regard to cards shown, and that his adversary may hold 
another card or other cards of the same suit, which have not been shown. 

5. Do not forget when younger hand, to show an imperial before reply- 
ing to the call of point (see Law 14). 

6. The objects to be striven for in playing the cards, are to win with 
the high honors the lower honors of the adversary, or to make low honors 
by trumping, and to gain the majority of tricks. 

7. The leader should, as a rule, attack in suits in which he holds a 
sequence, and should avoid suits in which he has a tenace. For example : 
Knave, ace, ten, is a better suit to open than king, knave, ten. Again, 
king, queen, seven, in which there is no tenace, is a better suit to open 
than king, queen, ace. Of course, a general rule like this presupposes 
that you have no knowledge of the cards held by your adversary in the 
suit you lead. 

8. With great power in trumps you should generally lead them, in 
hopes of capturing adverse honors, and of preventing your winning cards 
from being trumped. Bear in mind that there are, besides the turn-up, 
seven trumps in the pack. Therefore, if you have four trumps, your 
opponent can only hold three, and so on. Suppose your four trumps are 
queen, knave, ten, nine (ace turned up). In leading them, you should 
not unnecessarily expose one of your honors to the risk of capture by th« 
king, but should lead the nine or ten. 

g. Unless trumps are led, you will probably be forced sooner or later. 
If you take the force, you will, of course, trump with a low honor, m 
order to score it, in preference to ten, nine, or eight. Thus, in the case 
given in Advice 8, if you are forced, you should trump with the knave 01 
queen. 

10. Trumping with honors should, however, be done with judgment, 
or tricks may be thrown away. For example : With four cards in hand, 
viz., king, knave, and eight of trumps, and one losing card of a suit in 
which you know the adversary must hold a higher card, if you are forced 
it would be an unnecessary sacrifice of strength to trump with the knave. 



IMPERIAL. 



329 



It may lose a trick, and may lose the winning- of an honor. You would, 
of course, trump with the eight, and lead the losing card. 

Again : A (leader) has three cards left, viz., two trumps and a forcing 
card, and leads the forcing card. B has king of trumps and two losing 
cards. B should not trump the forcing card led, but should throw one 
of his losing cards. He can gain nothing by winning the trick ; and if 
it so happens that A's trumps are both honors, B gains a score of one 
by refusing the force. 

11. A pretty feature in the play of the cards is this : If you see from 
the score that you can get an imperial by honors or by tricks, and that 
/our adversary cannot get an imperial by honors or tricks, keep on forc- 
ing him, to make him score as many as you can before your imperial 
takes down his score. For example : You hold king, queen of hearts 
(trumps, seven turned up) ; king, knave, eight of spades ; king, queen, 
ten, nine of diamonds ; and queen, knave, eight of clubs. You have a 
score of four, so your king, queen of trumps must give you an imperial. 

Your adversary has a score of two, including one he marks for the 
honor turned up. You call your point in diamonds, which is not good, 
and lead king of diamonds. 

Your adversary now shows queen, ace, ten, nine of spades as his point, 
which makes him three. He can only hold two honors, so he cannot 
score more than five. Your game is to force him, that he may waste any 
honors he holds, by trumping with them before you gain and mark your 
imperial. 

Suppose the remainder of his hand to be knave, ace, nine, eight of 
hearts ; king, nine of clubs ; and knave, ace of diamonds. 

You go on with the diamonds. He trumps the third diamond with the 
ace of hearts, and leads a spade. You win, and force him again in dia- 
monds. He trumps with the knave, and is five. 

During the remainder of the play of the hand you make your king, 
queen of trumps, score an imperial, and he has to take down his five. 
You may make the trick, and are an imperial and one to love. 

Now suppose, with your very strong playing hand, you, after leading 
king of diamonds, had led king, queen of trumps, which you would have 
been perfectly justified in doing at any smaller score toward an imperial 
on your side, in hopes of making an imperial by catching honors, or by 
a great score of tricks, see what would have happened. You, being four, 
would have scored an imperial. Your adversary would subsequently have 
scored both his honors, and would have started the next hand at the SCCI:6 
of two instead of love to your one. 

12. Playing to the score is of the greatest importance iC flCafly OVCf^ 



330 IMPERIAL. 

hand. The following is a good example : A (elder hand) has declared 
a point of three cards. Hence, he must hold three of each suit. The 
last six cards in his hand are, as his adversary knows, three spades and 
three trumps (hearts), say, king, knave, eight of spades, and knave, ten, 
nine of hearts. 

B (younger hand) has to lead. He holds queen, ten, seven of spades, 
and king, queen, eight of hearts. Seven turned up. 

A has live up toward an imperial ; B has three up. B's object is to 
win three honors before A makes one. In this case tricks are of second* 
ary consequence. 

B leads queen of spades. A wins with king, and leads knave of 
spades. T^ the knave B should throw the ten. A then leads eight of 
spades ; B plays seven. 

A must then lead a heart. If he leads nine or ten, B must play the 
eight. B wins the last two tricks, including three honors, and scores an 
imperial. 

Had B kept his ten of spades, or won the nine or ten of trumps led, 
he would have lost the imperial. 

B*s play would be the same whatever trumps A holds. 



LAWS OF IMPERIAL. 

SHUFFLING. 

1. Each player has a right to shuffle either pack. The dealer has the 

right of shuffling last. 

CUTTING. 

2. A cut must consist of at least two cards. 

3. A player exposing more than one card in cutting, must cut again. 

4. The player who cuts the highest imperial card deals. 

5. If , in cutting to the dealer, a card is exposed, there must be a fresh cut 

DEALING. 

6. The dealer must give twelve cards to his adversary and twelve to 
himself, by two at a time to each, or by three at a time to each. The 
dealer, having selected the number of cards which he will give at a time, 
must not change it during the game. 

7. If the dealer gives more or less than twelve cards to his adversary or 
to himself, or alters his mode of distributing the cards, he loses the deal. 

8. The dealer must turn up the top card of the eight undealt cards for 



IMPERIAL, 331 

trumps. If he turns up the wrong card, or more than one card, he must 
show his hand to his adversary, and the adversary, not having looked at 
his own cards, has the option of requiring the right card to be turned up, 
or of having a fresh deal. 

9. If, before the trump card is turned up, a faced card is discovered in 
the pack, there must be a fresh deal. 

10. If, in dealing, the dealer exposes any of his own cards, the deal 
stands good. If he exposes any of his adversary's cards, the non-dealer, 
before he looks at his hand, may claim a fresh deal. 

11. If a player deals out of his turn, or with the wrong pack, he may 
be stopped at any time before the trump card is turned up ; otherwise the 
deal stands good. 

12. If either player turns up or looks at a card of the stock (except as 
already provided), the adversary, not having seen any of his cards, and 
the play of the hand not having begun, has the option of a fresh deal. If 
either has seen his cards, or the play has begun, the player not in fault 
may call a suit on his opponent's lead once during the play of the cards. 

CALLING AND SHOWING. 

13. Imperials, and the point, if good or equal, must be shown. Call* 
ing is not sufficient. If a player does not show an imperial, or the point, 
if good or equal, before he plays a card, he cannot score it ; and, in tha 
case of the point, the adversary, on showing, scores it. 

14. Imperials must be shown by the elder hand before calling a point, 
or he cannot score them. Similarly, the younger hand must show his 
imperials before replying to the call of point, or he cannot score them, 

PLAYING. 

15. A card led in turn cannot be taken up again. A card played to a 
lead can only be taken up again to save a revoke, and then only prior to 
the lead of another card. 

16. If a card is led out of turn, it may be taken up again prior to its 
being played to. After it has been played to, the error cannot be rectified. 

17. If a revoke is discovered before the cards are cut for the following 
deal, or before the cards are so mixed as to prevent identification, the ad- 
versary has the option of requiring the hand to be played again, starting 
from the trick in which the revoke occurred. Whether the hand is played 
again or not, the revoking player can score no tricks he may make above 
six in that hand. If, after a revoke is claimed, the adversary mixes the 
cards, the claimant may retrieve his hand to the best of his recollection, 
with the same option and penalty as before. 



332 IMPERIAL. 



INCORRECT PACKS. 

i8. If a pack is discovered to be incorrect, redundant, or imperfect, the 
deal in which the discovery is made is void. All preceding deals stand 
good. 

SCORING. 

19. An erroneous score, if proved, may be corrected at any time during 
the hand. An omission to score, if proved, may be rectified at any timt 
during the hand. 



BRAG. 



SINGLE BRAG. 

iv this gfame the nines and the knaves are called '* Braggers," from 
ilheir being the best cards ; or '* Turners," because they are convertible into 
cards of any other value, so as to form pairs or pairs-royal, by the highest 
of which ihe game is decided. Thus three braggers in one hand cannot 
be beat, as they form a pair-royal of the best cards, and are better than 
a natural pair-royal of aces, etc. Two braggers and an ace, etc., are 
better than one bragger and two aces, etc. In the same manner, a pair 
formed by the assistance of a bragger is better than a natural pair, or 
two cards of like value. Thus a nine and a king take precedence of two 
kings, but are inferior to two aces. A knave and a king are better than 
a nine and a king ; and if the pairs in two hands are equal, the higher 
value of the third card gives the preference ; if they are equal in every 
respect, the elder hand has the preference. The lowest pair-royal that 
can be formed, as three twos, is better than the highest pair, as two 
aces, etc. 

Sometimes in Brag the knave of clubs and the nine of diamonds only 
are admitted to be braggers or turners ; and it is agreed that natural 
pairs or pairs-royal are to precede artificial ones of the same value, or 
those formed by the assistance of the knave of clubs or nine of diamonds ; 
as thus, two kings to be considered better than a king with a nine of 
knave, but to yield to an ace and a nine or knave. 

MODE OF PLAYING. 

The cards being shuffled and cut, a certain stake, from a cent to five 
dollars, is deposited by the dealer, who gives three cards to each of the 
company. The elder hand, and the others after him, having examined 
their hands, either " pass," which is signified by laying down their cards, 
or " brag," in which case the dealer's stake is to be answered by all who 
brag. On putting down another stake, or bragging a second time, the 

333 



334 BRAG. 

person doing so, if he holds a pair, but not otherwise, may insist on see- 
ing the next player's hand, saying, " I'll see you," or *' I'll sight you," in 
which case they examine each other's cards, and the person having the 
worst hand of the two is obliged to lay it down, or " pass." The players 
go on in this way till the braggers are reduced to two, who continue brag- 
ging against each other (either an equal sum with the dealer's stake, or 
higher) till one "sights" the other, and whichever of the two has the 
best brag hand, wins the whole of the stakes put down. 

BRAG AND PAIRS. 

To vary the above game, the dealer sometimes deposits two separate 
stakes, one of which is for natural pairs, and the company may brag on 
either stake they please, or on both. Thus if one of the players has a 
pair or pair-royal of good cards, such as aces, down to tens or eights, he 
may answer one or both of the dealer's stakes, according to the chance of 
success afforded by the cards he holds ; and can, if he holds a pair, 
** sight" those who are bragging on the same end with himself, as de- 
scribed above. Those who put their stakes on the brag-end proceed 
exactly as at Single Brag. 

THREE STAKE BRAG. 

There is another way of playing this game, in which three stakes are 
deposited by the dealer, who gives two cards to each player, and then 
^urns up a third all round. The best whist card turned up takes the first 
stake, the elder hand having the preference if two equal cards are turned, 
except in the case of the ace of diamonds, which is always the best at this 
stage of the game. 

The second stake is the brag-stake, and is determined as at Single 
Brag, each reckoning his turned-up card along with the other two. 

The third is gained by the player who holds, or obtains by drawing 
from the undealt cards, thirty-one, or the highest number under that, tlie 
ace reckoning for eleven, the picture-cards for ten each, and the rest 
according to their pips. The elder hand has the preference in case of 
equality, and any one drawing above thirty-one, loses of course. 

The three stakes may be all gained by one person, in which case he is 
entitled, in some companies, to three more from each player ; but this 
advantage is usually set aside, as savoring too much. of gambling. 

From Post and Pare and Brag came Poker. 



COMMERCE. 



There are several ways of playing this game. The simplest is as 
follows : 

The deal having been determined, each player deposits an equal stake 
in the pool ; the cards are then all given out, one at a time ; the elder 
hand then exchanges a card with his left-hand neighbor ; the second with 
the third, the third with the fourth, and so on, till one obtains a hand 
consisting all of one suit, when he exclaims, '* My ship sails," and clears 
the pool. 

Another plan is the following : 

Each player deposits an equal stake in the pool, and the banker (dealer) 
gives three cards all round, and asks " Who'll trade ?" The players, be- 
ginning with the elder hand, either "trade for ready money" or "bar- 
ter." By the first is meant, giving a card and counter to the dealer, who 
places the card under the remainder of the pack, which is called * ' the 
stock," and gives a card from the top in exchange. The counter is passed 
to the banker, who then trades with the stock free of expense. *' Barter " 
means exchanging a card with the right player. Barter cannot be re- 
fused, unless the player of whom the exchange is requested, decides to 
stand on his cards without trading or bartering. The trading and barter- 
ing is concluded by one having obtained the highest tricon, which wins 
the pool. 

The object of the trading or bartering is to obtain — i, a tricon (three 
like cards, like a pair-royal in Cribbage) ; 2, a seque?tce^ or three following 
cards of the same suit ; 3, a pointy or the smallest number of pips on 
three cards of the same suit. The ace reckons for eleven, the tens and 
court cards for ten each, and the other cards according to the number of 
their pips. The highest ti'icon wins the pool ; if no tricon is shown, 
then the highest sequence^ or the best pointy in failure of a sequence. 
The banker reckons as eldest hand in case of ties ; and if he holds a 
lower tricon or sequence than either of the others, he loses the game, and 
pays a counter to each player higher than himself. 

335 



REVERSIS. 



Keversis is played by four persons, with 48 cards, the four tens being 
discarded from the pack ; and each player should have a box, containing 
6 counters reckoned as 48 fish each, 20 counters 6 fish each, and 32 fish, 
making- in all 400 fish. There are two pools, called the Great and the 
Little Quinola pools (the great one to be under the little one), which are 
to be placed at the dealer's right hand. 

The deal is to the right ; three cards are g^ven to each person the first 
round, and four to the dealer, and four round afterward, so that the dealer 
will have twelve cards, and the rest eleven each ; the three remaining are 
to be placed singly on the table, opposite the three non-dealers, each of 
whom puts out a card under the pool, and replaces it with the card op- 
posite to him on the table. The dealer also puts out one, but does not 
take one in ; should, however, there be three remises or stakes in the 
pools, then it is at the option of any player to take a card or not ; if he 
does not, he may see the card before it is placed to the discard : then, 
previous to playing, the opposite parties exchange one with each other. 
The cards rank as at Whist, and the points in the tricks are forty ; each 
ace reckoning 4, king 3, queen 2, and knave i. The points in the discard, 
which form the pa^'ty^ reckon as in the tricks, except the ace of diamonds 
and the knave of hearts as great quinola. The former reckons five, the 
latter four. The player having the fewest points wins the party. If two 
have the same number of points, then he who has the fewest tricks has 
the preference. If points and tricks are equal, then he who has last dealt 
wins ; but he who has not a trick has the preference over him who has a 
trick without points ; and the espagnolette played and won, gains the 
party in preference to the last dealer. 

When every trick is made by the same person, there is no party, and 
this is called makine; the Reversis. 

The great quinola pool is to consist of 26 fish, and to be renewed every 
time the same is cleared, or has fewer in it than the 26. This stake is 
attached to the knave of hearts, or great quinola, which cannot be put to 

336 



EEVERSIS, 337 

the discard, unless there'are 3 stakes, or 100 fish in the pool. The httle 
quinola pool, containing; 13 fish, and attached to the queen of hearts, as 
little quinola, is to be renewed in the same manner, and the little quinola 
cannot be put to the discard unless there are 3 stakes, or 50 fish in th^ 
pool. Each time either or both of the quinolas are placed, or played op 
a renounce, they are entitled to the stakes attached to them, except whei 
there are three stakes in the pool ; then the great quinola is to receive loc 
fish, and the Httle quinola 50. On the contrary, each time the quinola 
are forced, gergi, or led out, the stakes are to be paid in the same propor 
tion as they would have been received, except in the single instance of tht 
person who played the quinolas making the Reversis, when the quinola 
to be entitled to any benefit, must be played before the last two tricks. 

Every trick must be gained by one person to make the Reversis, which 
is undertaken when the first nine are made by the same person ; there is 
then an end of the party, and of the quinolas, if held by him, except he 
has played both, or either of them, before the last two tricks ; but, on the 
contrary, should his reversis be broken, he then is not only to pay the re- 
versis broken, but the stakes to the pools for the quinolas he may have 
played before the reversis was undertaken. All consolations paid for aces 
or quinolas by the person undertaking the reversis are to be returned on 
winning it. 

The Espagnolette is either simply 4 aces, 3 aces and i quinola, or 2 aces 
and 2 quinolas. The player who holds the same has a right to renounce 
in every suit during the whole game ; and if he can avoid winning a trick, 
and there is no reversis, he of course wins the party in preference to him 
who is better placed ; but if obliged to win a trick, he then pays the party 
to the other, and returns the consolations he may have received for aces 
or quinolas ; and if he has a quinola, he must pay the stake to the pool, 
instead of receiving it. The player having the espagnolette is at liberty 
to waive his privilege, and play his game as a common one ; but loses that 
privilege the moment he has renounced playing in suit. The player of 
the espagnolette receives consolation in any part of the game, if he forces 
the quinola. 

If the reversis be won or broken, the espagnolette pays singly for all 
the company. When the holder of the espagnolette can break the reversis, 
he is paid, as before mentioned, by the person whose reversis he has 
broken ; he can also undertake the reversis, but then his hand must be 
played as a common game. If the espagnolette has placed his quinola, 
and there is a reversis either made or broken, he is not to receive the 
stake ; for when the reversis is attempted, the stakes are neither received 
nor paid, except by him who undertakes the same. If by another player 



338 REVERSIS. 

having the ace or king of hearts, the espagnolette has, in any part of the 
game, either of his quinolas forced, he pays the stake and consolation to 
him that forces, except there be a reversis. 

The dealer always puts two fish into the great quinola pool, and one 
into the little one ; besides which, every player, at the commencement, 
puts six into the former, and three into the latter ; and each time tfcc 
stakes are drawn, or there are fewer fish in the pool than the original 
stakes, the pool must be replenished as at the first. To the points in the 
discard, four are to be added for the party. The person who gives an ace 
mpon a renounce receives a fish from the person who wins the trick, and 
if it is the ace of diamonds lie receives two. The person who forces an 
ace, receives the same payment from all the players. The great quinola 
placed upon a renounce, receives six fish, the little three ; and if either 
be forced, the person who forces receives the same payment from all the 
players, and these pa3mients should be made immediately, without being 
asked for. One or more aces, or either of the quinolas, played for gergi, 
that is, led out, pay the same as if they had been forced, to the person 
who wins the party ; but it is for him to recollect and demand them. 
When either ace or quinola are placed, played, or gergi the last card, it 
is called a la bonne^ and paid double ; and all payments whatever are 
double to the person who sits opposite. The payments for the reversis, 
made or broken, are eighty fish, each player paying twenty, and the 
opposite party forty, when the reversis is made ; but, when broken, the 
whole is paid by the person whose reversis is broken ; that is, he pays the 
person breaking it exactly the same he would have received had he won it. 



LAWS OF THE GAME 

1. The person who misdeals loses his deal. 

2. Any player taking his card without having put out to the discard, 
the deal is void. 

3. The eldest hand is to see all the stakes deposited, as he is answerable 
for all deficiencies. 

4. The discard is not to be changed after it is put out. 

5. The eldest hand should not play a card until the discard is complete: 
should he only have played, he is permitted to take up his card, and play 
another. 

6. No person to play out of his turn. 



REVERSIS, 33g 

7. Should it be perceived, at the end of the game, that there is a mis« 
take in the discard, the deal is void, and must be made again. 

8. No payments can be demanded after the cards are cut. 

g. The person who throws down his cards, thinking he can win the 
r**maining tricks, must pay for any quinola or ace which has or can be 
placed or given ; and, in case of undertaking a reversis, the person who 
^ight break it can insist on his playing the cards as he who can break it 
tiay direct. 

10. The player, whether thinking he has won the party or not, asks for 
the aces or quinolas led out, before the person who has really won the 
party demands them ; he must pay for him who otherwise might have 
been called upon to pay. 

11. Before playing a card, it is always permitted to ask how the cards 
have been played, but it is not allowed to observe it to others not making 
the inquiry. 

i2> Any player may examine his own tricks at any time, but is not to 
look 5vt those of another person except the last trick. 



JOCKEY CLUB. 

To amuse himself, a man once skated a mile, ran a mile, bicycled a 
mile, rode a mile, then swam a mile, and finally got drowned. Jockey 
Club is played somewhat on this same principle. Any number of persons 
can engage in this hotchpotch, oUa-podrida of games. A pot is made up. 
First a round of Vingt-et-un is played, followed by a round of Poker, then 
at the option of the company, a round of Old Maid may be in order, and 
it can wind up by giving one card to each person, the highest card win 
ning. You can play anything you like in Jockey Club but Solitaire, 
It is a go-as-y6u-please game. 



ROULETTE. 



The table employed for Roulette is an oblong square covered witli 
green cloth. In the centre is a cavity. The sides are immovable, ancj 
around it are placed, at equal distances, bands of copper, which, com' 
mencing at the top, descend to the extremity of the machine. In the centre 
of it is a movable circular bottom containing thirty-eight compartments, to 
which the copper bands are attached, and upon which are painted, alter- 
nately in black and red, thirty-six numbers, from one to thirty-six, a zero 
(o), and a double zero (oo). 

In the middle is a moulinet of brass surmounted by a cross of the same 
metal, by means of which a rotary motion may be imparted. 

There is a banker and assistants. It is the business of one to set the 
machine in motion, which he does with his fingers, moving the bar. At 
the same time he throws a small ivory ball into the roulette, in a direction 
opposite to the movement given to the rotating bottom. The ball goes in 
one direction, the movable base in another. In this movable bottom 
there are thirty-eight holes or compartments, formed by metal bands. The 
hole into which the ball enters determines the gain or loss of the punters, 

There are thirty-six numbers, with the zero and double zero on top 
The thirty-six numbers are painted red and black in the machine. The 
numbers are odd and even. 

It may be seen at once how various may be the character of the chances. 
Money can be staked on any single number, on any twelve of them, on 
any eighteen, on any two or any four of them. Odd or even numbers 
give opportunities for betting, or on the color red or black. If a player 
should place a stake on a single number, or on either of the zeros, and 
the number selected or the particular zero come up, he is paid by the 
banker thirty-five times as much as he wagered. If it does not turn uu 
he loses, 

340 



ROULETTE. 



341 




H 
O 

00 



% 




13 



16 



22 



25 



28 



31 



34 



6 



II 



14 



II 



20 



23 



26 



29 



32 



35 



12 



15 



18 



ROULETTE TABLE. 



CO 

-4 

o 

CD 



^ 




34^ FIVE AND TEN. 

Bets made on black or red, or odd and even, on the first or last half of 
the numbers, are paid once by the banker. Bets made on any twelve, 
and winning, are paid double, as are those on any column. Any six 
numbers can be bet on, and all paid by dividing thirty-four by six, leav- 
ing off the fraction. In betting on fours, and winning, eight times the 
stake is paid. When color is played, and the zeros, which are colored in 
green, turn up, the better loses. When a bet is made on zero, and won, 
the stake is paid thirty-five times. 

Bets may be made by the same player in many ways. He may put his 
stake on a single number, on the four of a series, on the twelve or the 
eighteen of a series, on color, and on odd or even. 

The constant advantage of the bank is about 5J per cent. With a full 
game — that is, all the numbers having stakes put on them, the advanta£;2 
to the bank for that turn of the wheel amounts to a certainty. 

THE ODDS IN ROULETTE. 

It is 37 to I that a number turns up. 

** 13 to 6 *' any of the twelve turn up, 

** 18 to I upon two numbers. 

** ii§ to I " three numbers. 

*' 17 to 2 *' four numbers. 

** 16 to 3 " six numbers. 

** 10 to 9 *' odd or even, or on coIot. 

And the same for any eighteen numbers. 



FIVE AND TEN. 

A COMPLETE pack of cards is used, and two, three, or four persons 
may play. Each game is decided in one hand, and it consists in en- 
deavoring to get the majority of the five tricks, which is called a Five, 
and entitles the winner to the stakes played for ; or to gain the whole five 
tricks, which is called a Ten, and the winner in this case draws double 
stakes. 

The following is the rank and order of the cards when the respective 
suits are trumps : 



FIVE AND ten: 



343; 



HEARTS AND DIAMONDS. 

Five, Knave. 
Ace of Hearts. 
Ace of Diamonds. 
King, Queen. 
Ten, Nine. 
Eight, Seven. 
Six, Four. 
Three, Two. 
And the follov/ing is their order when 

HEARTS AND DIAMONDS. 

King", Queen. 
Knave, Ten. 
Nine, Eight. 
Seven, Six. 
Five, Four. 
Three, Two. 
Ace of Diamonds. 



SPADES AND CLUBS. 

Five, Knave. 
Ace of Hearts. 
Ace of Spades or Clubs, 
King, Queen. 
Two, Three. 
Four, Six. 
Seven, Eight. 
Nine, Ten. 
not trumps : 

SPADES AND CLUBS. 
Ace, King. 
Queen, Knave. 
Two, Three. 
Four, Five. 
Six, Seven. 
Eight, Nine. 
Ten. 



From the above lists it will be observed that the five is first, and the 
knave second in order, when trumps, and that the ace of hearts is always 
trumps, and ranks as the third best card. These three cards have the 
pri\'ilege of revoking, when it suits the holder of them to do so ; but if 
the five be led, the holder of the knave or ace must play it, if he has not 
another trump to play, and the ace unguarded must in like manner be 
played if the knave be led — the superior card always forcing the inferior. 
The ace of diamonds, which is fourth in order when that suit is trumps, 
is the lowest when not trumps ; and the usual rank of the inferior cards 
is reversed in the black suits, the two being above the three, the three 
above the four, and so on, the ten ranking lowest, whether trumps or not 

MODE OF PLAYING. 
The parties having cut for deal, which the lowest five-and-ten card 
wins, and each having deposited an equal stake, the cards are cut, and 
five dealt to each player, by twos and threes, the next card being turned 
up for trumps. If the elder hand has a certain five — that is to say, if he 
holds three cards which will each take a trick, he ought to play them, as 
there is a great probability, if his two remaining cards are tolerable, that 
he may get the whole five, and thus win a double stake. But if he holds 
only indifferent cards, the best method is to throw the lead into his oppo- 
aent's hand by playing an inferior card, in the hope of regaining it at the 



344 BOSTON-. 

third trick, which is the critical stage of the game ; and as three tricks 
constitute a five equally as four, it is reckoned better play to reserve the best 
cards till the third trick, than to risk the game by eagerness to secure the 
tv^ro first. 

If the party consists of four, they play in two partnerships, which are 
determined by cutting the cards, the two lowest playing against the two 
highest, or by agreement among the parties. The maxims at Whist 
relative to leading and how to play when your partner leads, will in 
general be found of considerable use here. 

When three play at this game, it is still necessary that one of them 
should win the three tricks in order to make a five, as the stakes must re- 
main for next game if two of the players get two tricks each, and the other 
one. 

If the cards you hold do not entitle you to expect to make the five your- 
self, the object should be to spoil it, or to prevent its being made at all, 
by thwarting that player who appears most likely to obtain it. If a ten 
be made, the two losers must each pay another stake to the winner, in 
addition to the three deposited ; but it is sometimes agreed to dispense 
with this, and not to allow tens when the game is played by three. 

Each player must follow suit when he can, under the penalty of for- 
feiting his stake, except in the case of the three best trump cards, viz. : 
the five and knave and the ace of hearts, each of which are privileged to 
renounce under the exception stated above ; but it is not incumbent on 
any one to take a trick unless he chooses, if he conforms to the above 
regulation. 

If the turn-up card is an ace, the dealer must take it into his hand, throw- 
ing out a card in lieu of it ; and if either of the players hold the ace of the 
trump suit, he must take in the turn-up card before he plays, or if he does 
not choose to take it in, must turn it down, in order to show that he holds 
the ace— both under penalty of forfeiting his stake. 

Where the game is strictly played, the person who misdeals, or who 
departs from the order with which the game begun, of deahng either the 
three or the two cards first, forfeits his stake. 



BOSTON. 

The game of Boston is played by four persons, with a complete pack 
of cards, which are dealt in the same manner as at Whist, except that the 
last is not to be turned up. The players put eight counters m fish each 



BOSTON. 



345 



into the pool, and the dealer four additional. During each deal, the per- 
son opposite to the dealer should shuffle another pack to be cut by his 
right-hand neighbor, and turn up a card for the First Preference ; the 
suit of the same color, whether red or black, is styled Second Preference, 
and the other two are common suits. The player who misdeals puts four 
counters more into the pool, and deals again. 

EXPLANATION OF TERMS. 

Boston. — To get five or more tricks. 

Petit Misere. — After having discarded a card to make no trick at all. 

Grand Misere. — To lose every trick without putting out a card. 

Petjt Misere Ouvert. — To put out a card, then exhibit your hand, 
play it. and lose the twelve tricks. 

Grand Misere Ouvert. — To lose ever}^ trick without putting out a 
card, your hand being exhibited. 

Grand Slam. — To gain every trick. 

The following table exhibits these games in the order in which they 
rank ox supersede each other : 



THE BOSTON 
TABLE. 



Boston 

Petit Misere 

Boston 

Boston 

Grand Misere 

Boston 

Boston 

Petit Misere Ouvert . . 

Boston 

Boston 

Grand Misere Ouvert . 

Boston 

Grand Slam 



Tricks to 


Reckoning for 


be won 


the Game. 


by the 




i *— N 


s 


.V. 


cj 






u 






u 

leg 




^ 


Oh 


^ 


Plh 


U 


>l 


5 


3 


4 


2 


I 


4 


6 


4 


8 


4 


2 


— 


7 


5 


12 


6 


3 


— 


— 


— 


— 


— 


— 


8 


8 


— 


i6 


8 


4 


— 


9 


^— 


20 


10 


5 


16 


ID 


— 


24 


12 


6 


— 


II 


— 


28 


14 


7 


32 


12 


— 


32 


t6 


8 


— 


13 


— 


36 


18 


9 


— 



MODE OF PLAYING. 
If neither of the players undertake any of the above chances, they say 



346 BOSTOJSr. 

In rotation, beg:inning with the elder hand, ** Pass," and there must be 
another deal, the new dealer putting four more counters into the pool. 

If, on the contrary, the elder hand thinks he can get five tricks, he says 
" First Boston." But if the second player undertakes " Petit Misere," 
he supersedes the first, and may in his turn be superseded by the third 
engaging to get six or seven tricks, which he announces by saying " Bos- 
ton," and naming the number of tricks. The fourth hand or dealer may 
also supersede the third by undertaking Grand Misere, or any of the 
chances lower down on the table. In short, whoever undertakes to do 
moi-e than the other players has the preference. If he is to play Boston 
he leads, and names whichever suit he pleases for trump ; but if he is to 
play Misere, the elder hand leads, and in this case there are no trumps. 
Boston likewise, if he has not undertaken more than seven tricks, may say 
whether he chooses to have a partner ; and if so, any person who engages 
to get the requisite number of tricks (two less than Boston has undertaken, 
as appears from the table) may answer ** Whist," the right of answering 
beginning with Boston's left-hand neighbor. When this is settled, the 
playing goes on as at Whist, except that the partners need not sit oppo- 
site to each other, and every one is to take up his own trioks. 

If Boston and his partner get the number of tricks they undertook, or 
more, they are entitled to the counters in the pool at the time, called the 
Bets ; and besides, the number of tricks they have won, added to the 
honors they both held, is to be multiplied by the number on the table op- 
posite to the tricks they undertook, and under the name of the suit the 
^rump was in ; the product must then be divided by ten, and the quo- 
tient shows the number of counters they are each entitled to receive from 
the other players. Should the product be less than ten, one counter is to 
be paid to each ; if fifteen, and under twenty-five, two counters ; if 
twenty-five, and under thirty-five, three counters ; and so on. 

For example, suppose they undertake five and three tricks, and get 
nine, having two honors, the trump in Second Preference ; nine tricks 
and two honors added make eleven, which multiplied by two (the figure 
under Second Preference, opposite to Boston five) gives twenty-two, con- 
sidered as twenty, being under twenty-five ; divided by ten, the quotient 
is two, and each of the players receives two counters from the other two. 

Nearly the same process shows what each pays to the other players 
when they fail to get the requisite number of tricks. The number of 
tricks deficient is added to the number undertaken, and the honors being 
added to that, the sum is multiplied and divided as before, and the quo- 
tient shows the number of counters to be paid by the unsuccessful players 
to the rest of the party. For instance, suppose they undertake six and 



BOSTON-. 347 

four, having four honors, the trump in the First Preference ; if they get 
but eight, the two deficient, added to the ten undertaken, with four hon- 
ors, make sixteen, which multiplied by eight, as in the table, the product 
is one hundred and twenty-eight, considered one hundred and thirty ; 
and this divided by ten, g^ives thirteen counters payable by them to each 
of the other players. Besides this, they pay a Baste to the pool, equal to 
the number they would have taken from it had they been successful ; this 
is not put directly into the pool, but kept in reserve to replenish it when 
exhausted, and each Baste is kept separate, and the largest put in first. 

It must be observed that these losses are defrayed jointly when both 
player and partner fail to get their requisite number of tricks ; but if one 
succeeds and the other not, the party failing bears the whole loss. But 
if one gets a trick less than his number, and the other a trick more, they 
are jointly successful, and share the gains equally ; and when Boston 
plays alone and without a partner, the gain or loss is of course all his 
own, and he pays to or receives from each of the other three players the 
counters won or lost, besides the pool. 

In playing any of the four modifications of *' Misere," the player loses 
or gains, as he is successful or otherwise, the contents of the pool, and 
pays to or receives from each of the other three, the number of counters 
opposite to the chance he plays,^ and under the head Misere, in the table. 
The gain or loss in playing *' Grand Slam " is calculated in the same way 
as Boston. As soon as a trick is gained in playing Misere, or one lost in 
playing Grand Slam, the deal is at an end. 

When the pool happens to be exhausted, and no Baste in reserve, it 
must be furnished afresh as at first. 

If there are several Bastes on the table, and the parties wish to finish 
the game, they may either share the counters, or put them all into th^ 
pool at once. 

FONTAINEBLEAU BOSTON. 

This is undoubtedly the true game of Boston. The game in all re- 
spects resembles the Boston before described, only the Picolissimo is in- 
troduced. Here, the player declares his intention of taking one trick 
and no more ; should he not make any trick at all, or take two tricks, he 
loses. In France, hearts is the best suit, then diamonds, next clubs, and 
last spades. In the United States and England, sometimes diamonds 
come first, then hearts, then clubs, and spades last. 

The order of games, beginning with the lowest and ending with the 
highest^ is : 



348 



BOSTON, 



Simple Boston — A player to make five tricks. 

Six tricks. 

Little Misery — All ^he players to discard a card, and the person declan 
ing not to make a trick. 

Seven tricks. 

Picolissimo — The person playing Picolissimo, is to take one trick. If h« 
^akes no trick at all, he loses, or if he makes two tricks, he loses. 

Eight tricks. 

Grand Misery — To take no trick, and to do this without discarding. 

Nine tiicks. 

Little Misery on the table — Like little misery, only the player, after the 
discard, places his cards face up on the table. 

Ten tricks. 

Grand Misery on the table — Like grand misery, only the cards are ex- 
posed. 

Eleven tricks. 

Twelve tricks. 

Chelem (Shlem), or Great Boston — To take all thirteen tricks. 

Chelem, or Shlem, or Boston, on the table — To put the cards on the 
table and to win every trick. 

VALUES O^ DECLARES. 



Simple Boston, Five Tricks 

Six Tricks 

Little Misery 

Seven Tricks 

Picolissimo . 

Eight Tricks 

Grand Misery 

Nine Tricks . 

Little Misery on the Table . 

Ten Tricks 

Grand Misery on the Table. 

Eleven Tricks 

Twelve Tricks 

r.helem 

"^elem on the Table 



Clubs. 


Spades 


Hearts 


Dia- 
monds. 


8 


10 


20 


30 


25 


30 


40 


50 


75 








45 


50 


60 


70 


100 


, , 




. , 


65 


70 


80 


90 


150 








85 


90 


100 


no 


200 








105 


no 


120 


130 


250 








125 


130 


140 


150 


T45 


150 


160 


170 


400 


450 


500 


600 


600 


650 


700 


800 



Additional 

Tricks— 

5 for each. 



LANSQUENET. 349 

In the payments honors count, providing the player wins, but do not 
count against him if he loses. In all the calls of tricks the three honors 
are counted as an additional five chips to be received ; the four honors 
as ten more. The rules governing the play are precisely the same as in 
the first game of Boston described. In revoking, or exposing cards, the 
'ules of Whist are applicable to Boston. 



THE EARL OF COVENTRY. 

The pack must be complete, and all the cards dealt out The elder 
hand begins, and the game consists in playing in succession the four 
cards of corresponding rank, accompanying the playing by a rhyme- 
Thus, suppose the first to play a Ten, he says, " There's a good ten." 
The 2d, " There's another as good as he." 
^- 3d, *' There's the best of all the three." 
»» 4th, »' And there's the Earl of Coventry." 
The player of the fourth card begins again, and the plajang goes or 
in regular order, passing those who have not corresponding cards. The 
person who is first out wins from all the others a counter for each card 
*-hey hold respectively. 



LANSQUENET. 

This game may be played by almost any number of people, although 
only one pack of cards is used at a time, that is to say, during the deal. 
The dealer, who has a percentage in his favor, begins by shuffling 
the cards, and having them cut by any other person of the party ; he 
then deals out two cards on his left hand, turning them up : then one foi 
himself, and a fourth, which he places in the middle of the table, for the 
company, called the rej'ouissance card. Upon this card any or all the 
company, except the dealer, may put their money, either a limited or un- 
limited sum, as may be agreed on, which the dealer is obliged to answer, 
by staking a sum equal to the whoit that is put upon it by different per- 
sons. He continues dealing, and turning the cards upward, one by one, 
till two of a sort appear ; for instance, two aces, two deuces, etc. , which 
in order to separate, and that no person may mistake for single cards, ho 



350 LOTTERY, 

places on each side of his own card, and as often as two, three, or the 
fourth card of a aort come up, he always places them, as before said, on 
each side of his own. Any single card the company has a right to take 
and put their money upon, unless the dealer's own card happens to be 
double, which often occurs by this card being the same as one of the two 
cards which he first of all dealt out on his left hand : thus he continues 
dealing till he brings either their cards or his own. As long as his own 
card remains undrawn, he wins ; and whichever card comes up first loses. 
If he draws, or deals out the two cards on his left, which are called the 
hand cards, before his own, he is entitled to deal again, the advantage of 
which is no other than his being exempted from losing when he draws a 
similar card to his own immediately after he has turned up one for 
himself. 

This game is often played more simply without the rejouissance card, 
giving every person round the table a card to put their money upon. 
Sometimes it is played by dealing only two cards, one for the dealer and 
another for the company. 



LOTTERY. 

A FULL pack of cards is used, or two or three packs mixed \\y^^di*ty 
according to the number playing. The simplest way of playing Lottery 
is to take at random three cards from a pack and place them face down- 
ward, for prizes, on the table. A banker having been chosen by lot, 
every player purchases from the other pack or packs any number of cards, 
paying a certain quantity of counters for each. These counters are put 
in different proportions on the three prizes, which are gained by those 
who happen to have purchased corresponding cards. Such cards as hap- 
pen not to be drawn are continued to the next deal. 

Another plan is as follows : Two complete packs of cards are used, one 
serving for tickets and the other for lots or prizes. Counters are then 
distributed in equal numbers to each player, and a certain proportion of 
the whole is placed in a box or dish on the table to form the fund of the 
lottery. 

The players sit round the table, and two of them take the two packs of 
cards, and after well shuffling them, have them cut by their left-hand 
neighbors. One deals a card to each player, face downward. These are 
called the lots. Each player then places on his lot what number of 



PUT, 351 

counters ke thinks proper. The lots being thus prized, he who has the 
other pack deals likewise to each player one card, which are called the 
tickets. Each player having received his card, the lots are then turned, 
and each examines whether his ticket answers to any of the lots ; he cr 
they whose cards correspond to any of those, take up the lot or prize that 
is marked on that card. 

The two dealers then collect those cards that belong to their respective 
packs, and after having shuffled them, deal again in the same manner as 
before, the lots being laid down and drawn by the tickets in the manner 
mentioned ; and such lots as remain undrawn are to be added to the 
fund of the lottery. This continues till the fund is all drawn out, after 
which each player examines what he has won, and the stakes are paid in 
money by him who drew the lottery, whose business it is to collect and 
divide it. 



SIFT SMOKE. 

A COMPLETE pack of cards is divided into two halves, one portion 
being dealt round to the players and the others remaining on the table, 
the last card dealt being the trump. The cards rank as at Whist. The 
<;ricks are of no value ; but each player must follow the suit led or play a 
trump. For each trick gained, the player takes a card from the undealt 
portion, and he who can hold out longest wins the stake previously 
agreed on. 



PUT. 

Put is played with a complete pack, generally by two persons, some- 
times by three, and often by four. The cards rank differently in this 
game from others, the trey being the best, next the deuce, then ace, 
king, and so on in the usual order. After cutting for deal, etc., at which 
the highest put-card wins, three cards, by one at a time, are given to 
each player ; then the game is played in the following way : If the non- 
dealer throws up his cards, he loses a point ; if he plays, and the dealer 
does not lay down another to it, he gains a point ; but should the dealer 
either win the same, pass it, or lay down one of equal value, forming 
what is styled a tie, the non-dealer is still at liberty to put, that is, play, 
or not, and his opponent then only gains a point ; then if both parties 



352 LOO, 

agjee to go on, whoever gains all the tricks or two out of three, wins five 
points, which are the game ; if each player obtains one trick, and the 
third is a tie, then neither party scores. 

Four-handed Put differs only in that any two of the players give each 
his best card to his partner, who then lays out one of his, and the game 
is afterward played as in Two-handed Put. 

LAWS OF PUT. 

1. If the dealer accidentally discover any of his adversary's cards, the 
latter may insist upon a new deal. 

2. If the dealer discover any of his own cards in dealing, he must 
abide by the deal. 

3. When a faced card is discovered during the deal, the cards must 
be reshuffled and dealt again. 

4. If the dealer give his adversary more cards than are necessary, the 
adversary may call a fresh deal or suffer the dealer to draw the extra 
cards from his hand. 

5. If the dealer give himself more cards than are his due, the adversary 
may add a point to his game and call a fresh deal, or draw the extra 
cards from the dealer's hand. 

6. No bystander must interfere under penalty of paying the stakes. 

7. Either party saying "//?//" — that is, I play — cannot retract, but 
must abide the event of the game or pay the stakes. 

Considerable daring is necessary in this game, for a bold player will 
often '*put" upon very bad cards in order to tempt his adversary into 
giving him a point. Sometimes the hand is played with '* putting," when 
the winner of the three tricks, or of two out of three, scores a point. 
The best cards are — first the treys, next the deuces, and then the aces ; 
the kings, queens, knaves, and tens following in order down to the four, 
which is the lowest card in the pack. There are many more interesting 
games for two, three, or four players. 



LOO 



Loo is divided into limited and unlimited loo. It is played in two 
ways, both with five and three cards, dealt from a whole pack, either first 
three and then two, or by one at a time. Any number may play at the 
three-card g;ame, 



LOO. 353 

After five cards have been dealt to each player another is turned up for 
trump ; the knave of clubs generally, or sometimes the knave of the 
trump suit, as agreed upon, is the highest card, and is styled pam ; the 
ace of trumps is next in value, and the rest in succession, as at Whist. 
Each player has the liberty of changing his cards for others from the 
pack. He may change any of the five cards dealt, or throw up the hand, 
in order to escape being looed. They who play their cards, either with 
or without changing, and do not gain a trick, are looed ; as is likewise the 
case with all who have stood the game, when a flush or flushes occur ; 
and each, excepting any player holding /<2W, of any inferior flush, is re- 
quired to deposit a stake, to be given to the person who sweeps the board, 
or is divided among the winners at the ensuing deal, according to the 
number of tricks made by each. For instance, if every one at dealing 
stakes eight chips, the tricks are entitled to one chip each ; every player 
who is looed paying eight chips, which, together with the dealer's stake, 
forms the next pool. But sometimes it is arranged that each person 
looed shall pay a number of chips equal to what happens to be on the 
table at the time. Five cards of a suit, or four with pam^ compose a 
flush, which sweeps the board, and yields only to a superior flush, or the 
elder hand. When the ace of trumps is led, it is usual to say, ""^ Pant be 
civiV'^ the holder of which last-mentioned card is then expected to let 
the ace pass. 

THREE-CARD LOO. 

Three-card Loo is played by any number of persons, though five or 
seven is the preferable number. There is no pam ^ and the highest card 
in either hand wins the trick. A mzss — that is, an extra hand — is dealt, 
which the elder player may exchange for his own ; or if he *' passes the 
miss," it may be taken by the next player, and so on in rotation, till it 
comes to the dealer. When only two players stand, the last before the 
dealer must either play the hand or the miss, or give up the pool to the 
dealer, who loses the game, which is then recommenced as before. 

The method of playing this game is very simple. The first player on 
the left of the dealer looks at his hand, and either decides to play his own 
cards, take the miss, or stand out of that game by throwing up his hand. 
The next player does likewise, and so on till it is decided how many stand 
the pool. The elder player then throws down a card and the next fol- 
lows, either by playing a superior card or a trump, it being imperative 
that he must head the trick if he can ; and so the game goes on till all 
the hands are played out, when the pool is divided into three portions and 
paid to the holders of the several tricks, all those who have failed to win 



354 SNIP-SNAP-SNOREM. 

a trick being looed. It is usual in the first round to deal a single^ when 
all must play. Thus, in a game of five players, two must be looed at 
a single. The amount of the stake is determined on previous to the com- 
mencement of the game : but in unlimited loo each player is looed the 
whole amount in the pool till the occurrence of a single^ which can only 
come about by three players only standing the game and each winning a 
trick. Sometimes the rule of club-law is introduced, when all must play 
when a club happens to be turned up. 

LAWS OF LOO. 

X. The c?Tds are dealt over at any time, the deal being detennined by 
cutting, the lowest card cut being dealer. 

2. The dealer is looed for a misdeal. 

3. For playing out of turn or looking at the miss without taking it, 
player is looed. 

4. If the first player possess two or three trumps, he may play the 
highest. 

5. With ace of trumps only, the first player must lead it. 

6. No player may look at his own cards or the miss out of his turn. 

7. No player may look at his neighbor's hand, either during the play or 
when they lie on the table. 

8. No player may inform another what cards he possesses, or give any 
intimation as to any card in hand or miss. 

9. If a placer throw up his cards after the leading card is played, he is 
looed. 

10. Each player must head the trick if he can, either by a superior card 
in the same suit or by a trump. 

11. The penalty in each case of disobedience to the laws is the being 
looed in the sum agreed on at the beginning of the game. 

CLUB LAW. 

This game is the most common variation of I,oo. Its object is to 
force a number of loos, especially if there are many in the game. 
When this law is adopted all the players must stand on their own cards 
whenever the card turned up happens to be a club. When this happens 
the miss is withdrawn and is added, face downward, to the undealt 
portion of the pack. 



SNIP-SUAP-SNOREM 355 



UNLIMITED LOO. 

In this variety of the game the penalty to be paid for a loo varies 
with the amount in the pool, and becomes the same as the entire stakes 
of the preceding deal. By playing this variation a large sum can be lost 
within a few minutes, so that the game is rarely played outside of 
gambling clubs. The amount payable for the deal remains unchanged. 

MIXED LOO. 

This is very much like the preceding variation, except that the limit 
is settled upon, and beyond this limit loo does not go. As an example, 
suppose the original stakes to be a nickel for a deal, and a dime for loo, 
limited to half a dollar, a player would be looed for the amount of the 
pool up to the limit, even though the pool exceed fifty cents. 

IRISH LOO. 

This is the same as the five-card variation, except that three cards are 
dealt to each player and Pam is omitted. 

DIVISION LOO. 

This game is played just as the five-card game is played. The slight 
differences are not worth mentioning. 



SNIP-SNAP-SNOREM. 

Snip-Snap is played by any number with a full pack of cards. The 
players, having placed before them five-pence or counters as **stock," the 
cards are dealt in the usual way. The main idea of the game consists in 
playing a card of equal value with that of the next player. This snips 
you. If the third player has a card of like value, you are snapped; and 
then if a fourth card be played by the following player, you are snored. 



356 COMMIT. 

Thus, say A, the elder hand, plays a knave, and B likewise plays a knave ^ 
A is snipped^ and places one counter in the pool. If C has also a knave, 
B is snapped^ and pays two into the pool ; and if D has the other knave, 
C is snored^ and pays in three. The fourth, of course, is safe, because 
all the four knaves are now played. No person can play out of his turn ; 
but every one must snip or snap when it is in his power. When any 
player has paid into the pool his five-pence or counters, he retires from 
the game, and the pool becomes the property of the person whose stock 
holds out the longest. The cards are sometimes dealt three or four 
times before the game is decided ; but if the players are reduced to two 
or three, they have dealt them thirteen cards each. The deal is taken in 
rotation, but no advantage remains with the dealer. 



BLIND HOOKEY. 

This game consists simply in risking a stake upon a card, which is won 
or lost by the dealer according as his own card is higher or lower than 
that of the player. The cards rank as at Whist, and all ties are won by 
the dealer. Each party has the right to shuffle, and the left-hand player 
cuts. 

Another plan of playing is as follows : When the cards are shuffled 
and cut, they are divided by the youngest hand into as many portions, 
faces downward, as there are players. The eldest hand then gives the 
dealer any one of the packs, and the other players take each a portion, 
upon which the stakes are placed. The dealer then turns up his lot, an<\ 
according as the card at bottom is higher or lower than those of his ad^ 
versaries, he wins or loses. 



COMMIT. 

This game may be played by any number of persons, with a complete 
pack of cards, which are all dealt out, except the eight of diamonds, and 
a spare hand is dealt in the middle of the table, for the purpose of mak- 
ing stops in the playing, which is by sequences. When an ace or a king 
is played, the person who plays it receives from each of the party a 



CATCH THE TEN. 357 

counter, or whatever may have been mutually agreed on ; and whenevel 
any one has played out all his cards, the game is at an end ; and the per- 
son who is out (or has played all his cards) levies from all the rest of the 
party a counter for each card they hold, except that the nine of diamonds 
exempts the holder of it from paying. This nine has also the privilege 
of being played in lieu of any other card, so as to prevent a stop ; but if 
played out, it does not exempt from paying for the cards in hand. 

The seven of diamonds and the four kings being certain stops, are, of 
course, eligible cards for the elder hand to play if he holds them ; or se- 
quences, which will lead to them, ought of course to be preferred. Thus, 
suppose A to play the nine of hearts — he calls for the ten — F plays it, A 
plays the knave, D the queen, and A the king, who then receives a 
counter from each player, and is entitled to begin a new sequence. 
Whenever a stop occurs to interrupt a sequence, the person who has 
played the last card begins again. 

Aces are not necessarily stops, though kings are, being the highest 
cards, but both entitle the players of them to counters from all round. 



CATCH THE TEN, 

OR SCOTCH WHIST. 

Catch the Ten may be played by from two to eight persons, with 
thirty-six cards, the small cards of each suit, viz. , the two, three, four, 
and five, being thrown out, and if necessary for an equal division of the 
cards, one or two of the sixes. If the party consists of two, three, five, 
or seven, each plays on his own account. When two play, three hands 
are dealt for each player, the first two hands from the top of the packj 
then other two, and lastly the third two, the thirty-sixth card being 
turned up. The hands are played in the order in which they were dealt. 
In like manner, when three play, two hands are dealt for each, and 
played in the same order. If the party consists of four, A and C are 
partners against B and D ; if six. A, C, and E, against B, D, and F — 
or A and D, B and E, C and F, in three partnerships ; if eight, A, C, E, 
and G, against B, D, F, and H, or they may form four partnerships,— 
the partners always sitting opposite to each other, with an adversary 
beliween each two. 



3S8 CATCH THE TEN'. 



THE MODE OF PLAYING 

Is the same as at Whist; the cards being cut, and dealt by one o* 
three at a time, and the last one turned up for trump ; they have the 
same value as at Whist, except in the trump suit. Forty-one is game, 
and the points are made by counting the cards in the tricks taken, and 
the honors of trumps. Each card above the party's share in the tricks 
taken counts for one. Tkus, if four are playing, each person's share of 
the thirty-six cards is nine. If two partners take eight tricks (four multi- 
plied by eight are thirty-two), they reckon fourteen toward game, that be- 
ing the number over their joint shares of twice, or eighteen. The knave 
of trumps is the best, and reckons for eleven, ace next for four, king for 
three, queen for two, and the ten for ten. They are not reckoned, as at 
Whist, by the party to whom they are dealt, but to those who take 
them in the course of playing. 

MAXIMS FOR PLAYING. 

As the name implies, the grand object in this game is to catch the ten 
of trumps, or to prevent its being caught by the adversary. The only safe 
way of saving or passing the ten, is to play it in a round of trumps, 
when one of your partners has played the best trump ; or if you happen 
to be last player, and have none of the suit led, trump with your ten, 
if it will take the trick, or if your partner has already taken it. These 
are very favorable opportunities, and do not often occur ; so that it is 
frequently necessary to run some risk to secure so important a card — as 
by trumping suit in a second round, though not last player — trusting to 
your partner's holding the best trump, etc. If you hold the knave and 
king or ace and king, and have the lead, play two rounds of trumps, and 
you will have a chance of catching the ten in the second round, or en- 
abling your partner to pass it under cover of your best trump. But these 
rules must vary so considerably according to the greater or smaller num- 
ber of the party playing, that it is almost impossible, without confusing 
the learner, to lay down particular rules for every case. Attention to the 
game, with a little calculation, on the principles laid down for Whist, 
will soon enable any person of moderate capacity to play this game suf- 
ficiently well for the purpose of amusement ; and his own interest will 
quickly render the gambler who understands the principles of the game 
an adept at it. 

A revoke is punished by the total loss of the game. 



SKAT. 359 



THIRTY-ONE. 

Thirty-one is played with an entire pack of cards, and by any num- 
ber of persons under seventeen. Each player puts an equal stake into the 
pool ; three cards are dealt to each, and a spare hand, in the middle of 
the table, which is turned up. The object of the game is to get thirty<= 
one, or as near it as possible, reckoning as follows : the ace stands for 
eleven, each of the honors for ten, and the other cards for the number of 
spots on them respectively ; thus, ace, king, and six of any one suit reckon 
twenty-seven ; ace, with two honors or one honor and the ten, for thirty- 
one ; an honor, a ten, and a five, for twenty-five ; and so on : but observe 
that all the three cards must be of one suit ; and three cards of equal 
value, as three kings, tens, fives, twos, or aces, are better than thirty, but 
inferior to thirty-one. Each player in turn, beginning at the elder hand, 
exchanges one of his cards for one out of the spare hand ; and this goes 
on till some one has got thirty-one, or stops changing. When any one 
gets game, or thirty-one, he shows his hand, and takes the pool, which 
finishes the game. If one stops without being thirty-one, the other play- 
ers can change once more only, or till it comes to the turn of the person 
who stopped, and then all show their hands, and he who is nearest to 
thirty-one gets the pool. In the event of two or more being equal, the 
elder hand has the preference, only that three aces, kings, etc., rank 
preferably to three queens, or lower cards. 

Another mode is as follows : Instead of depositing a stake, each player 
has two or three counters ; and when all stop, the person who is lowest 
puts one of his counters in the pool ; and he who has one or two left, 
after all the other players have paid in their three, is winner, and takes 
the whole, as in the game of Snip-Snap-Snorem. When two or more 
happen to be equally low they each pay a counter. 



SKAT. 

VALUE OF CARDS IN SKAT.— SUITS.— TRUMPS.—MATA- 
DORS.— ETC., ETC., WITH THE EXCEPTIONS. 

Skat is a game of three persons. Four persons can make up the party, 
but only three can play. When there is a fourth, the fourth deals in his 
turn, but he is out of the game every fourth round. His interest in the 



360 SKA T. 

g:a.me, however, remains, for if the caller of a declare makes it, the three 
others pay him, or if he loses he pays the dealer. 

Skat is played with 32 cards, with the four suits, all the cards 'below 
the sevens being excluded, the same as in Euchre. Every game is closed 
when the ten cards in each hand are played. 

The game is one of combinations. There are not less than seven 
different games in Skat, called the " Simple Game," " Toume," " Solo," 
*Nullo," '^Grando," *' NuUo-Open," and " Grand o-Open." 

There is a family resemblance in the Simple game, Toume, Solo, and 
Grando, which, when once understood, make an acquaintance with all of 
them easy. 

DEALING. 

The cards must be shuffled, and the first jack turned determines who 
shall be dealer. The first cards are given to the left. The player to the 
right cuts. An exposed card requires a new deal, but the deal does not 
pass. The same rule holds in case of a misdeal. 

Each player receives ten cards in all, and there are two cards over ; 
those two cards are known as the Skat. 

The method of dealing is to give not more than five cards to each of 
the three players, and then to put two cards on the table face down, not 
exposing them, and next to give the other five cards to the players. 

After the first part of the dealing, each player having five cards, for ten 
cards are to be given, no matter how the cards are dealt, the skat must 
then be put face down on the table. This rule is invariable. 

The order of proposing the game to be tried differs in Skat from other 
games. The order is reversed. A deals to B and C. B is known as the 
first hand, C as the middle, and A as the last hand. A does not ask B 
what he will play, but A makes the inquiry of C, who is to his right. A 
must have some play or he passes. Should he pass, then C asks B. In 
case all three have cards which they think can make a game, the one who 
declares the highest undertaking, incurring the greatest penalty, has the 
call. If two call the same game, the elder hand has it. The dealer 
always is the elder hand. If all three pass, and there is no call, there 
may be a new game dealt. In some cases, what is called Ramps ii 
played, but Ramps does not belong to Skat. 



CALLING OR BIDDING. 

The calling may be better explained by the two diagrams. The first 
shows a three-handed, the second a four-handed game. 



SKAT, 



361 



B, the second hand. 




C, the third hand 



A, the dealer. 

A deals. It is C who first has the say. If he does not declare any- 
thing, then B makes the inquiry of A. B may say, '* toume," meaning 
that he will play tourne. Then A may say, " toume," and, being the elder 
hand, can take the tourne from B. 

Here is another case : C may have something, and he asks B. C says, 
*' I play tourne, what do you do, B ?" If B takes a toume too, then C 
must declare something higher — as solo. B may say, " I will try solo 
too," Both wanting to play solo, who shall play it depends on the values 
of the suits, to be hereafter explained. If A, the dealer, wants to play, 
the solo he hopes to make must be the highest paying one, or a g^ando, of 
a nuUo. 

In the four-handed game the mles of calling are the same. 

C, the second hand. 



^, the first hand. 



D, the third hand. 



A, the dealer. 

A, the dealer, does not play at all. He has nothing to say. He may 

be said to be only dealing in the place of B. He neither calls nor plays, 

but is paid or pays. 

THE SKAT. 

In what are called the simple game —toume and solo, and in grando— • 
the skat comes into play. Turned down on the table, it belongs to the 



362 SKA r. 

player who makes or secures a call. The skat cannot be looked at undei 
all conditions. Sometimes it makes the trufhp, and sometimes the points 
in it are counted for the person who takes it. In certain games it does 
not figure at all, and remains untouched. 

SUITS AND VALUES, 
tn the simple game, toume and solo : 

Clubs come first. Hearts come third. 

Spades come second. Diamonds come last. 

As the respective values of these suits must always be borne in mina 
an example of this can be readily furnished. A simple game in diamonasi 
gives place to a simple game in hearts, hearts to spades, and spades to 
clubs, clubs being the best suit. In tourne the turning of one card make% 
the trump, the card being taken from the skat ; but the knave of clubs, 
and the other knaves in the order before mentioned, are always the bes^ 
trumps, then come the ace, ten, king, queen, etc., of the trumps turned. 

Say some player calls the simple game, there are no contestants, no one 
had bid against him, or urged him up higher, then he plays the simple 
game. But, as it often happens, some one has declared or called a higher 
game — as toume, then tourne makes the play. When a play is left to 
one of the three, the other two become his adversaries. If A plays any- 
thing, B and C join together to defeat him ; or if it is B who has a call^ 
A and C are his opponents ; or if C plays, A and B are opposed to C. 

POINTS.— GAMES. 

In the simple game, in tourne, in solo, and in grando, Skat is a game 
of points, not of tricks. A, who makes a declare, might take eight tricks, 
lose two tricks and the game. 

In the simple game, in tourne, solo, and grando, your declaration means 
diat you will make sixty-one points, or more if you can. Failing to make 
the sixty-one points, scoring sixty points or less, you lose. We repeat pur 
posely the names of these games in Skat — the simple game, toume, solo, 
and grando — so as to impress them on the reader's mind, for there are 
more of these games played than of the others. NuUo and grando 
ouvert are exceptional calls. 

THE POINTS. 

The aces count the most, which is eleven. The tens count ten, the 
kings four, the queens three, and knaves two. The nine, the eight, and 
the seven have no values. 



SKA T, 363 

Taking all the count cards, with the tens, what are they worth ? 

Four Aces, 11 each 44 points. 

Four Tens, 10 ** 40 " 

Four Kings, 4 ** 16 ** 

Four Queens, 3 '* 12 ** 

Four Knaves, 2 '* , 8 ** 

The total being 120 

The half of one hundred and twenty is sixty. To make a simple game, 
a tourne, a solo, or a grando, and win it, the player must count in his 
tucks one point more than sixty, or sixty-one. If he only makes sixty 
points he loses. 

Trumps in the game of Skat may have their peculiarities, but present no 
great difficulties. 

Remembering the values, first clubs, then spades, next hearts, and 
lastly diamonds, the knave of clubs is the highest trump, no matter what 
color may have been made trumps ; next is the knave of spades, then the 
knave of hearts, and lastly comes the knave of diamonds. After the four 
knaves, the ace is the best card, then comes the ten, next king, queen, 
nine, eight, and seven. In grando it is only the four knaves which are 
trumps, in the succession named. In nullo there are no trumps at all. 

FOLLOWING SUIT. 

In playing, a lead calls for the same suit. You must follow suit. Just 
as in Whist, if you cannot follow suit you may trump if you wish to, or 
throw away any cards at your pleasure. 

All the knaves being trumps, if a heart solo were declared, and the 
knave of clubs were led, trumps would be furnished by the other players. 

PLAYING A GAME. 

A, B, and C are the performers. A has dealt, and B declares a game, 
a simple game in diamonds. There is no opposition, and B sets out to 
make the sixty-one points, diamonds being trumps. It is a low call, be- 
cause a simple game in hearts would have taken it away from him by 
another player, as would have done a call of spades or clubs. 

B, from the fact of his calling, has the privilege of taking the skat, 
which is the two cards not exposed. He does not show them. Just as 
in Picket, he incorporates the two cards in his hand, discarding or put« 
ting aside two other cards from his own hand, those which he thinks are 



364 SKAT. 

of the greatest importance to get rid of. It may happen that he holds 
two single tens, or only one. He may discard the one, or two tens, for 
whatever points there are in the skat or in his discard belong to him, and 
add to his count. 

Suppose the player B was quite positive of making fifty-one points, and 
doubtful about one ten he held. This ten, if he could save it, would 
make him exactly what he wants, which is sixty-one points, and so he 
puts it away for safety in his discard. 

B, the first player after the dealer, begins his lead. He may have the 
two best knaves, ace, ten of trumps, the king of his trump suit, which is 
diamonds. The other trumps may be divided, and all fall to his lead. 
His opponents, A and C, who follow suit, are doing their best all the 
time to prevent him counting sixty-one points. When the ten cards in 
each hand are played out, the count of the cards taken begins. If B has 
sixty-one points in the cards he has secured, he wins. If he has sixty 
points he loses. 

Although in regular Skat the simple game is not played, beginners 
ought to familiarize themselves with this play, known as the simple game, 
for it is the foundation on which Skat has been built. The somewhat 
confusing addition of three more trumps, viz. , the knaves, which makes 
a trump suit of eleven, can be understood. The Skat, and its importance, 
as giving the person who secures it a sight of twelve cards, is now ap- 
preciated. 

PENALTIES. 

The player, B, has won his simple game with sixty-one points. He is 
paid for the call. There are certain fixed charges which accompany all 
calls. Say in this instance a simple game in diamonds was worth ten 
chips. A pays B ten chips, as does C. If B had lost he would have 
paid each of the other players ten or twenty chips in all. He may then 
win or lose twenty points. 

B has started out to make his sixty-one points, and can count only 

somewhere between thirty-one and sixty, then he only pays the penalty; 

but if he makes only thirty, he is Schneider — the translation of which is 

*'cut" — and if he makes no count at all, he is schwarz^ or "black," 

which is equivalent to our whitewashed, or the less polite term of 

'* skunked." There are increased penalties for both these unfortimate 

conditions, as when Whist used to be played when a Double or Triple 

was lost. 

MATADORS. 

The possession of the knaves also adds to the value of the hands, increas- 
ing the penalties. Remembering their succession, the knave of clubs 



SKAT. 36s 

standing first, what are called ** Matadors "begin by possessing this par« 
cicular knave. A hand having knave of clubs and knave of spades, has 
two matadors. If the player holds the knaves of clubs, spades, and 
hearts, always bearing the succession of suits in hand, he has three mata- 
dors. If he holds them all he has four. If with the four knaves he has 
ace, ten, king, queen, these cards increase the number of his matadors, 
so that a hand holding all the knaves and all the other trumps, would 
have not less than eleven matadors in hand. But the absence of the lead- 
ing knave, the one in clubs, prevents the having of these matadors. If 
the best knave is found in the skat, of course it belongs to the party who 
\akes it up, and so with two or three knaves ; picking up the missing one 
m the skat would make them all matadors. 

Their absence in a player's hand, if he wins his call, his adversaries 
holding them, makes the matadors count in his favor. If he loses, and 
holds matadors, the having of them increases the penalty. The having 
hr not having matadors, by the caller or his opponents, is an important 
factor, of what a player receives or has to pay out. 

There are in this way, no matter what are the cards, matadors for or 
against the caller. At the conclusion may be found the full tables of 
games devised from the rules laid down by the recent Skat Congress held 
at Altenberg. 

PROGRESSION OF THE GAME. 

The term Toume is derived from the French, and means to turn a 
card, and to play Tourne is to make a bid higher than the simple game. 
Solo is higher than toume, and nuUo a better call than solo, and beats a 
solo in spades, but solo in clubs is higher than nullo. There is no use in 
asserting that this is an unphilosophical sequence. We have to take the 
game as it is played. It is the cost of the game in Skat which governs 
the succession of calls. 

Grando comes after a solo in clubs, then nuUo-open. A grando with 
or without knaves, is the highest call that can be made. 



FROM THE LOWEST TO THE HIGHEST GAME. 

The game of Skat begins with the lowest call, which is the simple 
game, and ends with a grando with or without two or more knaves, 
which is the highest. 

In a tabulated form the games may be seen as follows : 



366 SKAT. 



Simple game 


in Diamonds. 


Toume 


game in Clubs. 


(i (( 


*' Hearts. 


Solo 


'' *' Diamonds. 


<C (f 


" Spades. 


(( 


" " Hearts. 


(C it 


** Clubs. 


Ci 


" " Spades. 


Toume " 


** Diamonds. 


Nullo. 




it it 


" Hearts. 


Solo 


" *• Clubs. 



" " " Spades. NuUo-open. 

Grando, with or without two or more Jacks. 

We do not give the cost of these games here, as we think it would be 
confusing ; but the philosophy of the values v/ill be explained hereafter. 
By referring to the table of values, at once the cost of any game can be 
determined. 

WHAT IS TOURNfe ? 

The simple game having been explaimed, tourne is played precisely 
jike the simple game, only the trump is made by the player taking up 
one of the cards from the skat, which one card he turns face up on the 
table. Whatever it is, that is trumps. The person making tourne the 
game, may take up either of the two cards he pleases, so that he exposes 
only one of them ; but he must do so before looking at either of them. 
Of the two cards he may select either the top or the bottom one, but 
before looking at them. That card shown is the trump. He must make 
sixty-one points, or lose. It is played just like the simple game. The 
player incorporates the two cards of the skat, into his hand, and discards 
tTV . Whatever is in the skat, or in his discard, belongs to him. 

TOURN^: GRANDO. 

When declaring a toum6, and a jack is turned, before looking at the 
second card in the skat, a tourne grando may be declared. It is played 
like a grando (see grando), but the penalties are less than for an original 
grando. 

WHAT IS SOLO ? 

The player calling solo declares the trump, and by so doing, he tacitly 
asserts that he can make his sixty-one points without having recourse to 
the aid the skat might give him. He says a solo in diamonds, hearts, 
spades, or clubs, whatever he thinks he is strongest in. Though he does 
not look at the skat until the game is over, the skat belongs to him, and 
any points found there are to his credit. After the ten cards are played in 
each hand, then only he looks at his skat. 



SKA r. 367 

NULLO. 

The player who calls nuUo declares that he will take no trick 
There are no trumps here. The knaves fall into the usual order of cards, 
as in Whist, the ace being highest, then king, queen, knave, ten, nine, 
eight, and seven. If the nullo player takes a trick he loses. The skat 
belongs to him, but is not used. 

NULLO-OUVERT OR OPEN 

Is a nullo or a call to make no trick at all, the player exposing all his 
cards, laying them on the table. It is precisely like " misery on the 
table " in Boston. He must take no trick. The skat is not used. 

GRANDO. 

This is a declare where the player dispenses with the skat, as in solo, 

and depends on the natural strength of his cards. When the call of 

Crando is made the player must count his sixty-one. Failing to do this 

he loses. The four knaves are the trumps, and the only trumps. Aces 

and tens of suits are the highest cards, then kings, queens, nines, eights, 

as in the other game. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Simple Game. — The player declares a trump and has the privilege of 
taking the skat, and has to make sixty-one points. 

TouRN^. — The player turns up one of the cards in the skat, and that 
card makes the trump. He must make sixty-one points. 

Solo. — Without the skat the player declares a trump, and must make 
sixty-one points. He counts the points which may exist in the skat after 
the game is closed. 

Nullo. — There are no trumps. The skat is not used. The player 
must make no tricks. The highest card is the ace, next king, then queen, 
knave, ten, nine, eight, seven. 

Nullo-Open. — The same as above, only the player exposes his cards. 
(Sometimes by prior arrangement, a player calling Nullo, may declare a 
nuUo-ouvert, when the first card has been played. But this is not 
good skat.) 

Grando. — Without the use of the skat the four knaves in their color 
succession, clubs, spades, hearts, and diamonds, being the highest cards, 
then the aces and tens of various suits the next, then the kings, queens, 
nines, eights, sevens the next, the player must make sixty-one points. 

SCHNEIDER AND SCHWARZ. 
A declaration is made in the sinjple game, toum6, solo, or granda 



368 SKAT, 

The player who calls it, if he has thirty points or less, loses with 
*' Schneider." He ought to have made sixty-one. The opponents have 
made then of course ninety, and there is an increased penalty. The rule 
works both ways. If no points are made at all by the player he is 
schwarz, or "black." The same thing happens to the opponents. A 
player with a strong hand, believing he can make his opponents Schneider, 
can announce that he is going to make his adversaries '* Schneider." In 
that case, because he announces it there are increased penalties. This is 
called announcing *' Schneider." He can announce, also, that he can 
make his adversaries *' schwarz." 

PLAYS.— ADVANCING THEM AFTER A FIRST DECLARA- 
TION. 

If in toum§ a jack be turned up, it may, as a fortunate accident, give 
very much greater strength to a hand, and the player may call grando 
toume, which is grando, but is not paid as much. 

GRANDO WITH THE KNAVES. 

Sometimes a player who has been bid up to the highest notch by a 
nuUo-ouvert — or a nuUo-open — will declare grando ''without two ma- 
tadors," which means that he may hold the knave of spades and knave 
of hearts, or the knave of spades and diamonds. He may win every 
point, but looking in his skat he finds there the knave of clubs. The 
knave is his, to his misfortune. He has declared grando " without two 
knaves," but he has found the knave he does not want, which he hoped 
was in his adversrries' hands, in his own skat, and he loses. 

WHEN THERE IS NO CALL, RAMPS. 

It sometimes happens that no call is , made by the skat players. In 
such a case the cards might be thrown down, and a new game commenced. 
By prior arrangement, Ramsch, or Ramps, may be introduced. The 
three play without recourse to the skat, and the party taking the most 
points pays the other players. The four knaves alone are trumps, and 
the aces and tens, as in grando, are the highest cards after the knaves. 
Sometimes the aces count first, then the kings, queens, and tens. To the 
person taking the last trick the skat belongs. He has to count the points 
found in it. The person having the most points pays ten to the other 
players. If two have the same number of points they each pay ten to the 
person who has the least. If each player has forty points it is a stand' 
D^, The 4.1tenberj Skat Congress jirges the abandonment of Ramps. 



SKAT. 369 

TO LAY DTWN, 

In the toum6, where it is luck alonf which dietermines the trtxmp^ \ 

card may be turned up, which is the O'Vy trunxp the player has. He is 

certain to lose. If he played he mig)U be made Schneider or schwarz. 

In order to save time he may, after the first card is played, at once declare 

that he cannot make the sixty-one p Mnts, and throw up the hand. He 

pays the smallest penalty the hand calls for. The opponents cannot 

give up their hands under any circun' itances, though they may be certain 

erf defeat. 

TO CALL A GAME. 

There can be no retrogression. A. call cannot go backward to one of 
a lesser value. If a call be made in hearts, and driven to spades, the 
player may call it in clubs ; this r ^fer?, to solo. In toume the turn-up 
regulates the trump, unless a kna^'j is turned, then the player may call 
toume grando. 

THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE COUNT. 

Simple games — Diamo'^JJiS c*^ t 

" Heart? 2 

** Spadj5>.... 3 

•* CluVs 4 

Toum^ — Diamonds. .. •-♦ 5 

" Hearts.., 6 

" Spadea '. 7 

" Clubs 8 

Solo-— Diamonds -» , 9 

** Hearts 10 

'* Spades v 11 

Nullo 20 

Clubs 12 

Grando 16 

NuUo-open 40 

The way of counting the pr:';iialties is increased or diminished with the 
matadors held by the player or by his adversaries, or whether there be 
schneidpr or schwarz made bj either the player or his opponents. When 
Schneider is announced two rates are given. When schwarz is announced 
there are four rates. These rates are multiplied by the fixed values made 
out for the calls. The matadors being the most changeable of the fac- 
tors, beginning with one matador and concluding with eleven, the val- 
uations of g?n>o ir a trjjular form will be found convenient, and such is 
presented /or e/gry /^o^osible combination^pf the game on pages 334, 335. 



17® 



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SKAT. 



TABLE OF VALUES. 

In the game of Boston, players have a printed card, on which the pen< 
alties are indicated. The one which is presented is taken from that in 
use by the Altenberg Skat Congress, to which august body we acknowl- 
edge our indebtedness. 

It should be remembered that in some parts of Germany the simple 
game is rarely played, and that courne is the first game announced. 
Beginners should try the simple game, as it is the A B c of Skat. 

HINTS AS TO THE PROPER PLAYING OF SKAT. 

A four-handed game with the thirty-two cards, as in Euchre, is well 
known. In Skat, which is a three-handed game, the change is somewhat 
confusing, and added to this are certain combinations, the presence of the 
knaves, which are the best trumps. The two cards in the skat, the skat 
being a constant factor, also increases the difficulties. 

To play Skat well is an accomplishment which very few possess. 

The suits which happen to be short in the person's hand who makes a 
call are often a matter of surprise. The player of a call has the advantage 
of making a short suit, by his discard in the skat. It is his object to have 
a short suit, so that he can trump the aces or tens, or other high cards of 
his adversaries. 

To get the caller between the two opponents is what his adversaries 
must always endeavor to accomplish. It can be seen at once that if the 
caller of a game is short of a suit, he must trump ; otherwise, with their 
long suit, the adversaries being on both sides of him, will put in all their 
aces and tens, and thus fatten their own points. To prevent this the 
person who has made the call, is forced to trump, and to trump may 
weaken his hand. 

When a toume is made, the trump suit is the result of an accident. 
Then, in toume, the adversaries may take greater risks. 

When a grando is called by one player, and the others have tried to 
establish solos, such facts should be remembered. ' 

Strict count must be kept at all stages of the game, and the caller and! 
his adversaries must know exactly what are the totals in the tricks taken. 
A good Skat player, when a round is over, always announces the exact 
number of points he has. In this counting, the player having the skat, 
knows more than his opponents. After four or five rounds, good players 
will be pretty well satisfied as to what is or what ought to be in the 
skat. This knowledge of the points, in every stage of the game, is of 
use in this way. A player of a call has already scored fifty points, the 



SKAT. 373 

adversaries have the same numbers. An ace then, which wins or loses, 
decides the fate of a game. Even a knave may make exactly sixty-one. 
In the same way when a Schneider is possible, and eighty has been made, 
a ten or an ace put in at the right time ends the matter. 

THINGS TO REMEMBER IN SKAT. 

There are eleven trumps — the eight cards of the trump suit, with the 
three other knaves. 

There are only seven cards in the other suits, because the jacks are 
taken from them. 

When the three hands play, three cards of one suit is a long onCo 
With four of a suit, headed with ace and ten, when toumes, solos, or 
grandos are played, the probabiUty is strong that the two lower cards will 
both be good if trumps are out. 

No game gives more opportunity for cunning or foxiness than Skat. 

It is better to skip about from suit to suit if you have the aces, and 
make them if you can. 

Do not play a suit having a ten with a guard. Wait until you are 
played up to. 

In tourne, a player making this his game, nine times out of ten, by 
the discard, becomes short of a suit. 

Count the game all the time, so as to know how many points you 
want. 

It is a fair supposition that in the skat there is a knave, or some good 
cards. 

Always try to get the person making the declare between two fires. A, 
B, and C are playing, and B declares. A should always try to get a 
lead, so that B must put on high cards or trump. If he did not, C would 
dump high cards on A's leads. 

Skat is often a game of inspiration, and is won or lost according to 
whether there is boldness or timidity shown in the play. 

There can be few rules laid down for Skat, for there never are two 
games alike. 

A dull player — one who risks nothing, and only plays on what he 
thinks are certain hands — will lose in the long run. 

If the lowest matador is played by a person declaring a game, it is safe 
for the adversary, the one playing after him, to put a ten or an ace on it. 
The player who puts the lowest matador may have them all, or the three 
next best, but still the chances for the player putting a high card on it, 
and his partner taking it, are good. 

Watch closely all the discards. A game is often decided by the last 
22 



374 



SKAT. 



round, and an eight taking a seven, where the ten or a king of another suit 
falls, helps to make the sixty-one points. 

In a play of tourne and solo it is evident that if the declarer has the 
lead, he should begin with trumps. As there are eleven trumps, the ace 
or tens of the suit may fall to the player as matadors ; at least, the player 
then learns if there may not be a matador in the skat. Drawing out the 
trumps precludes the trumping of his own aces or tens by his adversaries. 
With a hand weak in trumps, it may not be always advisable to lead 
them. In a grando, where only the knaves are trump, precautions have 
to be used, so that the adversaries may not deprive the grando player of 
his knaves by forcing him, and then introduce their winning suit. Oc- 
casionally a pretence of strength in trumps is made, in order to deceive. 

In -the nuUo, the person who is behind the person playing nullo, gener- 
ally plays the low cards. 

Nobody ever played Skat and made no blunders. 

RULES. 

Only the three cards of the last trick, as in Whist, can be looked at. 

To revoke is to give the caller his declare, or to make the player, if he 
revoke, lose it. 

If a wrong card is played, it can be called for, or any card at the option 
of the player or players. 

A HAND AT SKAT. 




4. •^4. 





s? ^ 




^^^ 









<>>.<> 






9 
9 




0.0 
0^0 








^ <^ 




9 9? 













Looking at this hand, a player might be in doubt as to whether he 
could make a grando, providing he was first player, or had the lead. 
With his two jacks he would, of course, draw the other two, and would 
make then his ace and ten, and ace and ten of spades. But the four 
other low cards, will they produce him anything ? There are against 
him, apparently, the ace and ten of hearts, the ace and ten of diamonds, 
four kings, and four queens, making seventy points to count against him. 



SKAT. 



375 



Still, it is a grando which, if properly played, must win. In his hand 
the four low cards represent one-third of all the low ones, and neces- 
sarily the high cards must be either in the skat or in the adversaries' 
hands, and will fall to his first six leading cards. If one of his own cards 
were, say only a queen, he would lose. 




A CURIOUS GAME IN SKAT. 

ELDER HAND, AND DECLARES GRANDO. 



^4.^ 
f^^ 

^.^ 

^^^ 



4. •^4. 








THIS SECOND HAND MAY DECLARE A NULLO-OUVERT. 




4. 4. 
4. 4. 






s? 



9 9 



VM 



^ 


9?l 


^ i 


^ 


S? 


9? 


9 



THE THIRD HAND CALLS NULLO-OUVERT. 




O: 



0<^0 
O O 





0^0 






0% 

















The elder hand would have the call with a nuUo-ouvert. 



376 



, SKAT. 



PROBLEMS FOR SKAT PLAYERS.— No. i. 

The player second in hand declares a grando, and loses, while the 
other party makes sixty-nine points before the grando makes a trick. 





4-** 



1 








:< 

^ ♦ 




s? 




0% 



Question. — What were the cards in the other hands and how were 
rhey played ? 



PROBLEM No. 2. 
Player first hand declares nullo-ouvert, and is beaten. 



^ 




4-^4- 
4. •^4. 




4. 4. 

4*.4' 

4. 4. 




*4-* 
4.^4. 




*** 

4. 4. 

4. 4. 





















M. 




0.^0 












0^0 



i 



Question. — What were the cards in the other hands, and how were 
they played ? 

PROBLEM No. 3. 

The player who is either second or third hand has these tards g:iven 
him. He declares tourne, and finds king- of clubs and the jack of clubs in 
the skat. He discards two spades, and loses the ^ame before he can make 
a trick. 



SKAT. 



377 





4. 4. 

4. 4. 







9? 



O 




Question. — What were the other hands, and how were they played ? 

The leading hand turned up the seven of diamonds, and the ten ol 
hearts was in the Skat. He won the game without 10 matadors. 



* 




4. 4. 

*** 





4- ^4* 
4» 

4» 



S? 



One of the opponents held this hand : 

Rffii 




4. 4- 



The second opponent's hand was : 



Oj 





^ 


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^ i 


9 


^ 


9? 


9 



A 4. 
4. 4. 



T Jk T 




^ 










9? <?? 




0000 


0000 




1 






0% 




o o 
o o 



The player puts aside twenty-one — ac^ and ten of hearts. He makes 



37^ SXAT. 

twenty-four in dubs, fourteen m spades, and four in hearts ; total, 63 
points. 

An actual hand played by the editor, was a solo in clubs, v/ith the three 
best matadors, the ace, ten, king, queen of clubs, the ten of hearts, and 
the king and queen of spades. The middle hand led through him, and 
he lost with eight matadors, the jack of diamonds being in the Skat. 
Question : What were the other hands, and how were they playec^ ^ 

SUGGESTIONS IN REGARD TO SKAT. 

In Skat, it becomes impossible to lay down absolute rules of guidance. 
Everything depends on tiie cards, for no two games of Skat ever are alike. 
Grando has the four matadors as the only trumps. Providing the player 
has all the four matadors, these would not make points enough for the 
declarer of the grando to win. The supposition is, then, ihat he has a 
long suit to work with, after the matadors have been drawn out. 

Those who play against a grando ought to play, in most cases, their bes. 
suits right up to the person making the declare of grando. He must trump 
an ace or lose eleven points. If he trumps he is weakened, and the matador 
\t uses may determine what othor matador or matadors he may hold. The 
adversary in playing the ace of a long suit which the declarer has, may 
give a partner the chance of the discard of a ten of another suit, or may 
trump. We think more grandos are lost through bad play than any other 
declare. Adversaries in playing against grando, ought to try, if possible, 
to keep up two cards to a king, or three of a suit, so as to have the king 
or even a nine third. In grando there are only seven cards in each suit 
and another suit of four, the matadors. 

A single misplay in grando, of those playing against the declarer, losek 
the game. 

In all the games of Skat, playing without looking at the exact fall of 
cards, is sure to bring about blunders. 

Just as many games are won with sixty-one points as with seventy-one 
or eighty-one. It is the one point which as often as not decides the 
question. 

Players should invariably hold to the rule, that making a revoke losers 
the call, and it is a question whether the highest penalty, " schwarz," 
should not be inflicted. Taking the skat and not discarding, also loses 
the game. 

Suppose a hand held 8 cards, as follows : ace and ten of clubs, and 
the aces and tens of spades, hearts, and diamonds — what would be the de- 
^are ? A grando without four would probably be won, but not always. 



SJCA T. 379 

The spirit of emulation often makes the holder of g^ood cards call be- 
yond his powers. 

In playing the NuUo, it is never wise to return the suit, which the nuUo 
may begin with. The player is probably short of it. 

Po not suppose invariably that the high card which will discomfit the 
nullo player is in the skat. The chances are that the nullo hand 
holds it. 

In the call of nullo, which is a declare, where no tricks are to be made, 
adversaries should bear in mind, what might have been Solo's bid. 
Remembering this, it will give some idea of a long suit, in one of the 
three hands, and play should be made accordingly. 

In the declaration of a Solo, it is evident that those playing against the 
declarer of a solo, may take somewhat greater risks, because the soloist 
has not been able to make a short suit by the discard, nor does he know 
any more than do his adversaries what may be in the skat. 

In calling a tourne when a. knave is turned, the player has the right to 
declare a grando tourne (see Rules). Suppose he does turn a jack, and 
declines the tourne grando. The probabilities are that he has not more 
than two matadors — and these not the best. The jack turned may show 
this. The inference, when he declines the toume grando, is that he is 
not very strong in the suit, bul may have aces and tens, or good suits in 
other colors, not trumps. 

What to do when the opponents hold an ace or a ten with one small 
trump, the caller declaring a tourne or solo, and playing a low matador, 
is difficult to determine. It is better to risk the loss of a ten or ace, when a 
low matador is played, because the chances are that your partner may 
hold the better matador. If the caller has the best matadors, the adver- 
sary or adversaries would lose the ace or ten of trumps anyhow. 

Not to lead trumps on the part of the player of a call is a confession of 
weakness. It is often wise to pretend to be strong when you are not. 
Skat is a very foxy game. 

There is a good deal of inspiration in playing Skat, and there never ai'e 
two games which are similar. You have to catch the hang of it as it 
goes along. 

Say you have ace and king of a suit not trumps, and the caller plays a 
queen. Would it be wise to take it with your ace, if you are third player ? 
Your partner, who is second player, would have certainly put the ten on it, 
if he had had it. If you captured the queen with your king, you would 
win 7 points. If with your ace, 14 points, or twice as many points. But 
the caller may have the ten, and then make it, while if y^u kept your 
ace you would have scored 21 points. 



380 SKA T. 

The necessity of keeping an accurate mental count of all the points 
made, becomes now evident. If 2 points would win you the game, of 
course take it. 

Games are often won on the part of a good player making a call, by 
the deliberate throwing away of a single unsupported ten he holds. 
Trumps, say, have been all exhausted, excepting the one the caller has. 
He has the ten of a suit of which the ace he knows is out. The adver- 
saries play a card he must trump or lose the points which may be in it. 
The caller throws away his ten on his adversaries' trick, and takes their 
ace of this same suit with his last trump. Instead of losing 21 points, he 
has only lost 10 points, but in the aggregate has one point or more to the 
fore, which one point may win him the game. It is just in a case of this 
kind, where the cleverness of the player is discoverable. It is one of the 
nice points of Skat. 

Remember it is very much to the advantage of the player making the 
call, to have the chance to discard low cards, It is bad policy for adver- 
saries to keep at one suit too long. 

Of all the new games introduced, we must declare that Skat bears the 
palm, as the most interesting and fullest of surprises. At the same time, 
to play it well is a very rare accomplishment. The want of a three- 
handed game has long been felt — and Skat exactly fills the demand. 

With some knowledge of the many games of cards, the editor urges the 
study of this game, as it has qualities v/hich few games possess, and 
principally this one — that Skat is so interesting per se^ as to afford amuse- 
ment without a money stake. It is then essentially a family game. 

COUNTING THE GAME. 

To count the points won or lost without reference to the printed tables, 
is not difficult. 
Bear in mind these constant factors : 

Tourne Diamonds, is 5. Solo Diamonds, is 9. 

*V Hearts, ♦* 6. " Hearts, " 10. 

** Spades, '* 7. ** Spades, *' 11. 

** Clubs, " 8. " Clubs, " 12. 

Grando Tcume, is 12 ; Grando, is 16. 
The Nullo, is 20 ; NuUo-open, 40. 
The numbers 5, 6, 7, 8, g, 10, 11, 12, for Tournes or Solos, are fixed 
factors, and these are multiplied by the changing values of hands. Game 
counts one, and then every matador one more. Say a tourne in diamond? 
is called and made, and there is one matador, for there always must l»e 
one matador for or against the player. 



SKAT. 381 

We have, then, toume in diamonds 5 ; the game i, as a multiple, 
and I matador as another multiple. We add the multiples i + i, and 
have 2. Then, 5 X 2 is ten, or ten chips are won or lost for a toume in 
diamonds with one matador. 

Suppose it were a solo in diamonds, with one matador. The fixed factor 
is 9. The game is i, the matador is i. i -f i = 2, and 9 X 2 is 18. 

Suppose it were a solo in clubs, with four matadors. We have i for 
game and 4 for the four matadors, i + 4 is 5. Then 12 being the fixed 
factor, 12 X 5, or 60, is the penalty. 

Take Grando, the fixed factor of which is 16. It is won or lost with i 
matador. Game i + i matador, or 2 ; then 16 x 2 =r 32, or 32 is the 
lowest penalty. 

If Schneider is made, not called, there is one more multiple. Take this 
same grando. There would be i for game, i for Schneider. 14-1 = 2, 
and I more for the matador, or a multiple of 3 ; and 16 X 3 would be 
48. If there were 4 matadors in the grando and Schneider, there would 
be I for game ; 4 for the matadors, i + 4 == 5, and i more for Schneider^ 
or I 4-4 + 1 = 6, and 16 X 6 would be 96. 

Announcement of Schneider increases the rate one more, and on th< 
above grando. The multiples would be i 4- 4 + i + i, or 7 ; and 16 X 
7 = 112. If with this hand a schwarz were made, but not announced, 
an additional i rate would be added, which would make it 128. If 
schwarz were announced and won, it would be i more rate, or 144. It 
would be calculated in this way : 

Game i 

Matadors 4 

Announcement of Schneider 1 

Schneider made i 

Announcement of Schwarz i 

khwarz made i 

9 as a multiple. 
16 X 9 = 144 points. 

It is sometimes the habit to announce points as, ** I will make 48 or 60 
points," without mentioning the suit or the declare. This is supposed 
to conceal the character of the hands, but recent authority is opposed to 
it. There can be no concealment, for a good player knows what about is 
the declare, and it must be fully announced in time. To beginners this 
method is a constant puzzle, and one which is useless. 



382 SKAT. 

Occasionally nullo-open, nuUo on the table, is made less than forty, 
— «s thirty-two, — ^but we see no good reason for this. 

We are not desirous of presenting any new rules for Skat, but Ameri- 
cans who are quick to see the points of a game and apt to vary them, 
have introduced what they call a Little Nullo, which has been copied from 
the Little Misery^ in Boston. The play is then with nine cards, each 
player discarding one card, and no trick to be made. We fail to see any 
good points in the Little Nullo, and are positive that it is prejudicial to 
the game. Another novelty is to call a Nullo Toume, when the player 
turns the seven (7) of any suit. He discards just as in toume. He must 
declare, however, his intention to play Nullo Tourne before looking at 
the second card in the Skat. The penalty is 15. Skat is excellent enough 
without taking any hberties with it. 

As the interest in Skat has widely increased, the question has been 
asked the editors, " Why, in calling the various declares, are not the 
same mathods used as in English games ? they should follow the direc- 

The playing of the Grando, with the lead in the declarer's hand, does 
not present many difficulties. Generally being the first player, he draws 
out the matador which may be in the adversaries* hands. When it is not 
his lead, more skill is necessary, unless he has the command in two suits. 
It is good play on the part of the adversaries to lead up invariably f*T>w 
their strongest suit, especially if the person making the declare h^ a. 

Hon the cards are dealt, from left to right ? iames ot foreign origin 
have their peculiar stamp, but certainly the German method of making' 
the declares in Skat is awkward and in opposition to custom. Germans 
who play American games of cards, who are famihar with Skat, often 
become confused when playing Skat, because they are more used to the 
American method. Much, then, as the editors are disinclined to change 
the method of Skat, they think there is good reason to accept this change 
in the order of declaring, and believe it will be to the advantage of the 
game, eliminating a confusing element. If the American method be 
adopted, then the declare follows in the order of the hands, just as in 
poker, from left to right, the player receiving the first cards being the 
elder hand. Certainly it is more natural and philosophical, and in no 
possible way disturbs the fundamental laws of the game. A good many 
other changes have been suggested, none of which we think worthy of 
attention. Some of them would quite alter the character of Skat. We 
even advise the change in the method of calling as indicated, believing 
that it will help a game, which for the amusement and fine play it afitordi^ 
is the best we know of. 



SKAT. 383 

position between the two players. It often happens that the cards thrown 
away by the adversaries as useless, make the Grando for the declarer. 
A suit of three with the king three, ought to be guarded. The adver- 
sary's ace and ten may be good, but his low third card, which he plays, 
may be taken by an adversary's king, and then a schmere, or the dump- 
ing of a ten, may make him lose the game. 

Players against a Grando must of course guard carefully their tens 
when second. 

With three matadors, if they are the best, play the lowest, because some- 
times it may induce the adversaries to discard a ten, and then they lose 
it, and the player can make the ace and king. 

Grandos under certain circumstances are very much of a surprise, and 
often beaten by good play. 

The Grando tourne is prone to accidents unless the hand is very cer- 
tain. It is better not to declare Schneider or schwarz unless the declarer 
has the lead. In fact, disappointments are so common in Skat that 
many players entirely ignore Schneider and schwarz, because the premium 
is not considered worth the risk. 

Leads of single tens are of doubtful policy in all the declares, espe- 
cially in Grando ; but if they do succeed, it is generally woe to the de- 
clarer of a call. 

A single misplay in Grando is more likely to lose the game thaA in any 
other declare. 

GENERAL DIRECTIONS. 

A speculative game, that is turning up a card in the Skat to waJce a 
tourne, if once commenced should be continued. Conservative players 
take no risks without having at least two matadors and one good suit. 
Judgment in the discard is everything in Skat. 

A cheeky game, that is making pretence of having plenty of trumps 
when you have but few, often wins the game. 

A very pretty play which can be resorted to at times, is when in oppo- 
sition to the declarer, one of the players is short of trumps and has a sin- 
gle low trump. The position being as follows : A the first hand, B the 
second hand making the declare, C in the third hand, and A's partner. 
A plays something, B trumps it ; then C, who has not the suit, and can- 
not over-trump, throws away his low trump too. Then B must play a 
trump higher than A each time when led through, or C will schmere, 
or if A has a high trump, C can schmere, or dump high cards. 

Having the strength in trumps and having led them out, it is unwise^ 
unless under special conditions, to continue playing them, for then tna 



384 SKAT. 

adversaries will discard, and might work in a strong suit, and make 
many points. Not to let your adversary, or adversaries, discard, is one 
of the points of Skat. 

Skat is a game where sometimes inspiration is effective, for it gen- 
erally defies any set or fixed rules, but nevertheless there are certain 
common-sense principles which govern it, and one is to get, when you 
can, the player between his two adversaries, that is : A is first, B second, 
and C third player, and B has a declare. Then if not at too great a 
sacrifice, A should always try to lead through B. 

A bold schmere often wins a game. Many games are lost by what is 
known among American Whist players as " pickling." 

Not paying attention to a lead when you have the nine and the seven 
of a suit often causes disaster. Having the seven of a suit you lead it. 
Your partner's or your adversaries' eight takes the trick, and your meas- 
ures are defeated. 

To hold back the ace, so that it may take your adversaries' ten, is one 
of the chef cfoeuvres of Skat ; and how to lay low for it is the great 
point. 

Never keep up a suit which gives your opponent a discard, for that is 
just what he wants. Having got clear of his low cards, he takes your 
high ones. 

Skat is not Skat unless the points are counted all the time. About one 
^ame in ten is lost because 60 or 61 could have been made, and was over- 
looked. 

It is never worth while on the part of the opponents to try and make 
a Schneider on the caller, because often *' vaulting ambition overleaps 
itself." 

NULLO. 

It is always bad policy to return the caller*s lead. It is wise to play as 
if there was no skat, and that there were eight cards dealt ih every suit. 

GENERAL LAWS. 

Skat must be played in the most rigorous manner. The exposure of a 
card shows so much of the game that a penalty should be exacted. Not 
following suit, under any circumstances, brings the loss ol the declare to 
the person calling it, or to the adversaries. 

The accidental turning up of the skat entails loss. 

A declare, no matter what it is, holds good. Yod are responsible foi 
Vour own blunders. 

No matter how if in dealings a card is turned, a new deal is in order. 



SKAT. 385 

Incorporating the skat in your hand, and playing with any number 
more or less than ten cards, makes the declarer lose his game after the 
first card is played. A player can always increase his call, but never go 
back from it or lower it. 

There are no penalties for a person dealing twice. The other players 
must look out for this, and the dealer may claim the advantage if not 
interrupted before he has finished the deal. There is some advantage in 
dealing if it gives the last call. To have the lead in a declare, except in 
Grando, is not an advantage unless a strong hand is held. If the declarer 
has a ten second, it is against him. 

Four players at Skat is preferable to three, simply because a short 
interval of rest is then possible. Skat is, above all games, one which 
requires quick thought, strict attention, and as the games are rapid when 
three play, it is difficult to keep the head always clear. 

No one ever played Skat without making mistakes. 

The Editors must repeat what they have before written about Skat. 
Of all the games of cards, Whist only excepted, it is the most interesting, 
and the Editors credit themselves with the belief that this publication has 
'•n a large measure made the game popular in the United States. There 
lever has been a Skat party without acolytes, who have taught others 
how to play it. If it be played for a money stake, the valuation of the 
chips can be made very low, for the game is so full of surprises as to be 
interesting when played for love. 

A rather curious phase of *^e game has already been brought about 
The ^ame (/hicii ;. lew years ago was entirely played by Germans, has 
now been taken up bv Americans, and there is apparently a ludicrous 
conflict of authority. Though there is no change in the method 
W animus of the game, some of the ^*' ceremo7iiar^ of Skat is being 
(^.mericanized Our temperament is too nervous, too quick and impuls- 
ive to stand the slow bidding, bantering, or raising of the German. An 
American with a Solo hand, cannot be restrained from calling it out at 
once. The more phlegmatic German loves to hug his cards and grad- 
ually comes to the highest notch, passing through tourne. He will say, 
toume, then solo in diamonds, next hearts, then nuUo, then clubs, zmd 
finally speak it out, *• Grando." 

The method known as Zahlen-reizen^ the Skat ^ongress does not per- 
mit. This is to call declares by the numbers, as the penalty f.hey are to 
pay or to be paid. Here some discrimination should be used if the phi- 
losophy of the game is studied. A nuUo has 20 for penalty, and is not 
as good as a solo in clubs, which is 24. But a solo in diamonds with 
three matadors, entails a penalty of 24, and should be better thcin 



386 SKAT. 



nullo. This conflict can only come in the call of nullo, or nullo on tke 
table. 

As the Editors have been asked to lay down the law in this matter, 
they are of the opinion that any solo which exceeds in its cost that of a 
nullo or nuUo-ouverl , should take the precedence, and so diamonds with 
three matadors takes the declare away from a nullo, or a club solo with 
three matadors is better than nuUo-ouvert. If the player chooses to take 
the risk of finding the matador he wants in the skat, it is his business, 
and even if he makes the declare 6i points, and only has two matadors, 
he pays for his boldness. 

The trouble about Skat is that to-day there are many variations from 
the original game. Slight and unimportant as they are, they tend to 
confuse the original spirit of the cleverest of all the games of cards, 
which first and last, is Skat. 

METHODS OF COUNTING. * 

Many German players dispense with chips. The count is easily kept 
with paper and pencil, by means of algebraic signs. Thus : A, B, and 
C play. A makes a tourne in diamonds with one matador, and B and C 
lose. This may be noted in th's way : 

A B C 

+ 20 — 10 — 10 

Then B wins a grando with four matadors, the game being 80. 
Then we have : 

A EC 

+ 20 — ID — 10 

— 80 +160 —80 

Or A loses 80, B wins 160, and C loses 80. 

In order to close up accounts quickly at the end of the game, every 
fifth or tenth round, the person who deals, if four are playing, balances 
the account. 

There are several methods of making out the account, but the one cited 
seems the simplest. When four play the method is the same. Only gains 
and losses are three times as much to the winner or loser of the declare. 

When chips are used 300 units is a convenient number. 

On the whole it seems, however, more satisfactory to play with chips, 
the liability to error being somewhat diminished. 

Chips of various colors, each player having one particular color, makes 
the final settlement more speedy. 



TWO-HANDED SKAT. t^^-j 



TWO-HANDED SKAT. 

Sometimes r third player not being obtainable, Two-handed Skat wiH 
je found to be a good game. 

There are 32 cards, and the Matadors, games, penalties, just as in 3 or 
/^-handed Skat. The cards are dealt as follows : Five cards to the left, as 
f there was an imaginary partner, five cards to the actual player, five 
more cards to an imaginary player on the right of the dealer, and then 
five cards more to the dealer, and two cards face down, which is the Skat. 
Then the imaginary partners are left out, and five cards given to the op- 
ponent and taken by the dealer. There are then ten cards in the adver- 
sary's hand, ten in the dealer's, five cards to the right of the dealer, five 
to the left, thirty cards, with two for the Skat, making the thirty-two 
cards, as in the three-handed game. 

The adversary begins, making the call, as in regular Skat, toume, solo, 
or grando, and takes, or does not take, the Skat, according to the Skat 
rules. But Skat can only be played with ten cards at a time. After a 
player has played five cards, he takes the five cards which are face down 
on his right, and his adversary does the same thing with the cards to his 
right. Then each have ten cards again, and the game is continued as in 
Skat. This two-handed game is then actually played with fifteen cards. 

The surprises are man/, as a poor hand, when the second batch of five 
cards is taken, may be excellent. To play Two-handed Skat well re* 
quires a good memory, as the hand that has taken the Skat knows exact- 
ly what cards are in, or what has been discarded. 

Grandos are not difficult to make, but nullos are by no means as cei% 
tain. It is a game affording a great deal of amusement, and much in 
»ogue in Germany. 

Sometimes the Nullo and Nullo-Ouverte are played with the firs* teo 
^xds, and the extra five are not used. 



388 SPOT. 

PROPS. 

In this game of chance, sea-shells take the place of dice. The shells 
are small, oblong ones, sometimes cowries, about seven-eighths of an 
inch to an inch in length by three-quarters of an inch broad. The top of 
the shell is cut, and into the hollow red sealing-wax is poured, so that the 
shell may fall equally well on either side. Four Props are used, and 
thrown on a table, covered with cloth. A player takes the four Props 
and wagers ten chips that he will throw even — that is, two Props showing 
the red, and two not showing the red ; or he may bet that he will throw 
them uneven. The wager being accepted by the company, he throws, 
and wins, or loses, as he may have declared even or odd. The winner 
keeps on throwing, or offering the bet until he loses, when the Props pass 
to the next player to the left. The terms used by the player of the Props 
are, '*Set to me. I bet ten chips I make the nick." Sometiii>'»« it is, 
* That I throw the nick." 



SPOT. 

In this game, court cards are worth only the imprint of the suit uJ 
them, which is one. The deuce is better than the ace ; the three better 
than ace, deuce, or any court card. Five cards are given to each player, 
and the trick belongs to the player having the highest card, the ten of a 
suit being the best card. There is no trump. The game is one of points, 
each pip counting. When there are ties, the player who has -xiade tljf 
lead wins. The player having the most points wins. 



BOODLE. 389 



E. O. 

E. O. is a modification of Roulette. Around a fixed circle are a num- 
ber of lined-off divisions, with the letter E and the letter O painted on 
them. On these letters the player stakes his money. In the interior of 
the table is a movable circle into which a ball is thrown. There are forty 
rompartments in this, lettered respectively with twenty E's and twenty O's. 
In this movable circle there are, however, two bar-holes, which are alsc 
lettered E and O. The bets having been made, the banker turns the in- 
ner circle, and starts the ball. Should it fall in a regular compartment, 
marked E, the banker pays all the wagers in the E's, and takes all those bet 
on the O's. Should the ball, however, fall on the bar-hole E, he does 
not pay E, but takes all the wagers put up on O. Should it fall into O 
in the same way, he does not pay the O's, but wins all the wagers on the 
other letter E's. It is a game where five per cent, is always to the advan- 
tage of the banker. 



BOODLE. 

This is a bastard Faro with complications. 

A pack of 52 cards is used, and from another pack four cards are se- 
lected : the ace of hearts, the king of diamonds, queen of spades, and 
knave of clubs. These four cards are placed face up on the table, and 
remain there while the game is going on. The players put a stake of 
two or four counters, or what they please, on these four cards, selecting 
one or more than one, at their pleasure. 

The main object of the game is to make sequences — and when in 
making a sequence, a player has either of the four cards, the ace of 
hearts, king of diamonds, queen of spades, or knave of clubs, in his 
hand, he wins all the stakes placed on the card. 

The dealer gives in regular order one card to each player, and then 
deals one extra hand, which he turns face down on the table. All the 
cards are used. The dealer has the privilege of taking and playing this 
extra hand, if his own cards do not please him. The cards he has origin- 
ally held, if he makes this exchange, are not seen. He alone has thi« 
{M*ivilege. 

The deal passes in regular order. 



390 BILLIARDS. 

The player after the dealer, begins. He has the option of leading any 
suit, but it must be the lowest of that suit in his hand. As he begins to 
play, he announces the card. For instance, it may be the deuce of dia- 
monds. The next play by the next player must be with the three of dia- 
monds. It may be in the same first player's hand. He must put the 
deuce of diamonds on the table exposed, and all other cards making up 
the sequence must be shown, and announced. The order of sequence is 
from deuce, the lowest, up to the ace. 

When the sequence, say of diamonds, is ended, that closes the suit, 
and a new color is commenced. It may happen, however, that a stop 
comes, which is inability to present the next card of the sequence. It 
may be in the hand on the table, which is not exposed. The person who 
stops, pays one chip to every other player. 

If during the game a player holds one of the four exposed cards, as 
before explained, and can play it from his own hand as one of a sequence 
in its regular order, he wins all the stakes put on that card. 

The game keeps on, until one player has exhausted all his cards. He 
is entitled to as many chips as each player has cards. 

There may be stakes unclaimed on the four cards, as the cards may be 
in the extra hand on the table. These stakes remain over for the next 
gameu If a player blunders, and having a card which would have made 
the sequence, does not produce it, he pays a chip to all the other players. 



BILLIARDS. 

RULES FOR ALL THE LEADING GAMES 
. OF BILLIARDS. 

THE AMERICAN, OR FOUR-BALL GAME. 

RULES. 

^irst. — I. Whoever, playing from within the ** string line " against 
an outside cushion, brings the returning cue-ball nearest the head cush- 
ion, which is the one at which the players stand, is entitled to choice of 
balls and lead. Provided, 

(i) Th£^t, in stringing;, the player's ball has not touched his gpponent*^ 



BILLIARDS. 



391 



while the latter was at rest. (2) Nor has fallen into any of the pockets. 
In either case the player loses choice and lead. (3) Should the cue-balls, 
both being in motion, come in contact, the strokes are invalid, and must 
be played over. 

2. In '* stringing," it is required that both cue-balls shall be struck 
simultaneously, or so nearly together that one ball cannot reach the lower 
cushion before the other has been put in motion. 

Second. — i. The player who wins the choice of balls and lead must 
either roll his ball down toward the lower cushion, as an object for his 
adversary to play at, or else compel his adversary to lead off, as above 
described. 

2. In leading, the player's ball must be played from vdthin the string- 
line, and struck with sufficient strength to carry it beyond the deep-red 
ball on its appropriate spot at the foot of the table. But it must not be 
played with such strength as to repass, after having come in contact with 
the lower cushion, the deep-red ball. Nor yet must it touch either red 
ball, nor lodge on the cushion, nor fall into a pocket, nor jump off the 
table. In any of the cases mentioned in this section, or in case the cue- 
ball is not struck with sufficient strength to pass beyond the deep-red, it 
shall be optional with the adversary (Player No. 2) to make No. i spot 
his ball on the pool-spot nearest the lower cushion, or lead again ; or he 
may take the lead himself. " 

3. No count or forfeiture can be made or incurred until two strokes 
have been played. 

4. Once the lead is made, the game is considered as commenced, and 
neither player can withdraw except under circumstances specified in 
Rule VII. 

Third. — i. The game is opened by Player No. 2 playing on the white 
ball at the foot of the table. 

2. Should he fail to hit the white first, or fail to hit it at all, he forfeits 
one point, which shall be added to his adversary's score. Should he 
pocket himself after hitting a red ball first, he loses three points, even 
though he may have subsequently hit the white. 

Fourth. — I. If the striker fails to hit any of the other balls with his 
own, he forfeits one point, which, as well as other forfeitures, must be 
added to his adversary's score. 

2. The striker forfeits two when the ball that he plays with is pock- 
eted, or lodges on the cushion, or goes over the table, after having struck 
or been in fixed cO'Utact with the other white, no matter whether it 
has touched one or both of the reds. 

[An exception to this clause will be found in Rule III., Sec. 2.] 



392 BILLIARDS, 

3. The striker forfeits three when the ball that he plays with is pock- 
eted, or lodges on the cushion, or goes over the table, after having come 
in contact with one or both of the reds, and not the white. The same 
applies if neither red nor white be struck. 

[It is now quite common, in playing the American game, to count one 
point for single caroms, and two for double ones. This method, decid- 
edly more equitable than the old way of determining the value of a 
carom by the color of the balls struck, has been adopted by all the lead- 
ing players in their match games. As heretofore, one point is reckoned 
for a miss ; but when the cue-ball falls into a pocket, or bounds over the 
table, or lodges upon the cushion, a forfeiture of one point is exacted. 
When, however, caroms are counted in twos, threes, and fives, the for- 
feitures are the same as prescribed in these Rules. Pushing strokes, at 
one time penalized, and subsequently practiced by expert players as a 
matter of necessity only, are once more under a ban. Professionals have 
abandoned it, and in their public contests it is no longer tolerated. And 
players will search these Rules in vain for any warrant for its use — ^the 
clause to the effect that " any shot made with the point of the-cue is fair," 
having been expunged in 1867.] 

4. If the player cause any ball to jump off the table, and should it, by 
striking any of the bystanders, be flung back upon the table, it must still 
be treated as if it had fallen -to the floor. If a red ball, it must be 
spotted ; if a white, held in the hand. Should it be the last striker's ball, 
he forfeits two or three, the same as if it had gone into a pocket. 

Fifth, — I. If either player plays with his opponent's ball, the stroke is 
foul ; and, if successful, he cannot count, provided the error is found out 
before a second shot is made. 

2. Should two or more strokes have been made previous to the dis- 
covery, the reckoning cannot be disturbed, and the player may continue 
his run with the same ball, or he may have the balls changed. The same 
privilege is extended to the opposing player when his turn comes to play. 

3. Should it be found that both players have used the wrong ball suc- 
cessively, he who was first to play with the wrong ball cannot put in a 
claim of foul against his opponent, as the latter, in using the wrong ball, 
was simply playing from his proper position on the table. 

[It is the position of the cue-ball, and not its mere color or designation, 
that governs. Aside from this, before one player can charge another 
with error, it must be shown that no act of his contributed to that error.] 

4. Though the striker, when pla3ang with the wrong ball, cannot count 
what points he may make, except in those cases mentioned above, never* 



BILLIARDS. 393 

theless, whatever forfeitures he may incur while playing with the wrong 
ball he is bound to pay, as if he had been playing with his own. 

5. Should, however, both the white balls be off the table together, and 
should either player, by mistake, pick up the wrong one and play with it. 
the stroke must stand, and he can count whatever he has made. 

[As he plays from his proper position, it is immaterial, because no 
advantage is to be gained which ball he uses. In this case, as in the 
others where it is permitted to play with the wrong ball, the balls should be 
changed at the conclusion of the run. This will prevent confusion and 
disputes .] 

6. If the striker play at a ball before it is fuUy at rest, or while any 
other ball is rolling on the table, the stroke is foul. 

7. If, after going into a pocket, a cue-ball or an object-ball should re- 
bound and return to the bed of the table, it must be treated as a ball not 
pocketed. 

8. If the player, when playing with the butt or side of his cue, does 
not withdraw the butt or side before the cue-ball touches the first object- 
ball, the stroke is foul. 

9. A stroke made while a red ball is off the table, provided its spot is 
unoccupied, is foul. 

10. If the game being played is one in which hazards, or pockets, do 
not count, a red ball that has been pocketed or forced off the table shall 
be spotted on another spot, provided its own is occupied, and provided, 
also, the non-striker's ball is off the table at the time. If the light-red, 
it shall be placed on the dark-red spot ; and if that spot is occupied, the 
light-red shall be placed on the pool spot at the foot of the table. If the 
dark-red, it shall be placed on the light-red spot, etc. If both reds are 
off the table at the same time, and their spots are occupied by the two 
whites, one of the reds may be placed on the pool spot. The other must 
remain off the table until its proper spot is vacant. 

11. If, after making a successful stroke, the player obstructs or other= 
wise affects the free course of any ball in motion, the stroke is foul, and 
he cannot score the points made thereby. 

i2, A touch is a shot. And if, while the balls are at rest, a player 
touches or disturbs any ball on the table other than his own, it is 
foul. He has, however, the privilege of playing a stroke for safety, pro- 
vided his own ball has not been touched, but he can make no count on 
the shot. 

13. In playing a shot, if the cue leaves the ball and touches it again, 
the stroke is foul. 



394 BILLIARDS. 

14. If the striker, through stretching forward or otherwise, has not 
at least one foot on the floor while striking, the shot is foul, and no 
points can be reckoned. 

15. If, when the player's ball is in hand, he does not cause it to pass 
outside the string before touching any of the object-balls or cushion (ex- 
cept in the case mentioned in the following Rule), the stroke is foul, and 
his opponent may choose whether he will play with the balls as they are, 
have them replaced in their original positions, or cause the stroke to be 
played over ; or, should the player pocket his own ball under such cir-» 
cumstances, the penalty may be enforced. 

16. Playing at a baU whose base or point of contact with the table is 
outside the " string," is considered playing out of the '* string," and the 
stroke is a fair one, even though the side which the cue-ball strikes is 
hanging over, and therefore within the " string." 

17. Playing directly at a ball that is considered in the *' string " is foul, 
even though the cue-ball should pass wholly beyond the "string "line 
before coming in contact. 

18. Giving a miss inside the '* string," when the player is in hand, is 
foul ; but he may, for safety, cause his ball to go out of the " string " and 
return. 

19. If a player alters the stroke he is about to make, at the suggestion 
of any party in the room — even if it be at the suggestion of his partner in 
a double match — the altered stroke is foul. 

20. Placing marks of any kind whatever, either upon the cushions or 
table, is foul ; and a player, while engaged in a game, has no right to 
practice a particular stroke on another table. 

Sixth. — I. When the cue-ball is in contact with any other ball, the 
striker may effect a count either by playing first upon some ball other 
than that with which his own is in contact, or by playing first against the 
cushion, or by a massi. In either of the two last-mentioned cases it is 
immaterial which ball the returning cue-ball strikes first. 

2. Should the cue-ball be in contact with all the other balls on the 
table — or if with two balls only, while the remaining ball is on the table 
in such a way that the striker cannot play either on the tree ball or the 
cushion yfri"/ — it shall be optional with him to have all the balls taken up 
and the reds spotted as at the commencement of the game. It shall also 
be at his option to take the lead himself or compel his opponent to lead. 

Seventh. — i. The player may protest against his adversary's standing 
in front of him, or in such close proximity as to disarrange his aim. 

2. Also, against loud talking, or any other annoyance by his opponent 
while he is making his play. 



BILLIARDS. 395 

3. Also, against being; refused the use of the bridge, or any other of 
the instruments used in that room in playing, except where a special 
stipulation to the contrary was made before commencing the game. 

4. Or in case his adversary shall refuse to abide by the marker's, re- 
feree's, or company's decision on a disputed point, which it was agreed 
between them to submit to the marker, referee, or company for arbitra- 
tion. In any one or all of the foregoing cases, if the discourtesy be per- 
sisted in, the party aggrieved is at liberty to withdraw, and the game and 
all depending upon it shall be considered as drawn. 

5. Should the interruption or annoyance have been accidental, the 
marker, if so requested by the player who is entitled to repeat his stroke, 
must replace the balls as near as possible in the position they occupied 
before the player made the stroke in which he was interrupted. 

Eighth. — The marker must replace the balls, if called on, as nearly as 
possible, in their former position : i. In the case mentioned in the fifth 
paragraph of the preceding Rule. 

2. Where any of the balls, when at rest, are moved by accident. 

3. Where any of the balls, while rolling, are suddenly obstructed, either 
by accident or design, on the part of any person other than the player. 
In this case, the marker, if so requested by the players or referee, shall 
place the interrupted ball as nearly as possible in the situation which it 
would apparently have occupied had it not been stopped. 

4. Where the cue-ball, resting on the edge of a pocket, drops into it 
before the striker has time to play. 

5. Where the object-ball, in a similar position, is rolled back into a 
pocket by any of the ordinary vibrations of the table or atmosphere. 

6. In all the cases aforementioned where it is specified that, in conse- 
quence of a foul stroke, the player's opponent shall have the option either 
of playing at the balls as they are, or causing them to be replaced by the 
marker. 

7. When either or both of the red balls are pocketed or forced off the 
table it is the marker's duty to spot them before another stroke is played 
— except (the game being played is caroms and pockets) the spot appro- 
priate to either be occupied by one of the playing balls, in which case the 
fed one must be kept in hand until its position is uncovered. 

8. If, after playing a ball, the player should attempt to obstruct or 
accelerate its progress by striking it again, blowing at it, or any other 
means, his opponent may either play at the balls as they stand, or call 
upon the referee or marker to replace them in the position they would 
otherwise have occupied. 

9. It is the duty of each player to see that a ball is properly spotted be- 



396 BILLIARDS, 

fore the next stroke is made. As in the case where a player is m hand, a 
claim of foul, after the cue-ball has been struck in the one instance, and 
the red ball disturbed in another, cannot be entertained. All claims to 
the effect that the red ball is not on its spot, or that the striker's ball is not 
inside the ** string," when he is about to play after having been in hand, 
should be made before the stroke is played, as it can seldom be decided 
after the stroke, whether there was any ground for the claim. 

Ninth. — I. Each player must look after his own interest and exercise 
his own discretion. His opponent cannot be compelled to answer such 
questions as, "Is the ball outside or inside the * string' >" "Are the 
balls in contact ? " and so forth. These are questions for the player's own 
judgment to decide. 

2. When the cue-ball is very near another ball, the player must not 
play directly upon that ball without having warned his adversary that 
they do not touch, and given him or his umpire time to be satisfied on 
«iiat point. 

j>. It is obligatory upon the adversary or umpire to call " time ! " or 
give some other notice of his approach, if, while the player is preparing 
to make a stroke, either of them desires to look at the ball or submit a 
question to the referee. 

4. Each player should attend strictly to his own game, and never inter- 
fere with his adversary's, except in the cases mentioned in Section 9 of 
Rule VIII., or when a foul stroke or some other violation of these Rnles 
may call for forfeiture. 

RULES OF PIN POOL. 

First, — Player No. i must play with the remaining white ball, from 
any point within the string-line at the head of the table, at either the red 
or white ball, or place his own on the spot. 

Second, — Player No. 2 may play with either ball on the table — red or 
white. 

; Third. — After the first stroke has been played, the players, in theii 
order, may play with or at any ball upon the board. 

Fourth, — Unless the player has played on some ball upon the board 
before knocking down a pin, the stroke under all circumstances goes for 
nothing, and the pin or pins must be replaced, and the player's ball put 
upon the white-ball spot at the foot of the table, .or if that be occupied, 
on the nearest unoccupied spot thereto. But should two balls be in con- 
tact the player can play with either of the balls so touching> direct at the 
pins, and any count so made is good. 



BILLIARDS. 397 

Fifth, — If a player, with one stroke, knocks down the four outside 
pins and leaves the central one standing on its spot, it is called a Natural 
or Ranche, and under any and all circumstances it wins the game. 

Sixth. — But if the player has knocked down pins whose aggregate 
number, when added to the number on the small ball in his cup, exceeds 
a total of thirty-one, except in case mentioned in Rule Five, he is then 
'' burst," and must drop out of the game unless a " privilege " is claimed. 
If this claim is made it must be before another stroke is made, as other- 
wise he can only re-enter the game by the full consent of the players. 

Seventh. — Players having "burst" can claim a privilege as often as 
they "burst"; and when privilege is granted, the player draws a new 
small ball from the marker, and has then the option either of keeping 
that which he originally drew or adopting the new one then drawn ; but 
one or the other he must return, or else he cannot, under any circum- 
stances, be entitled to the pool. 

Eighth. — ^When a player bursts and a privilege is taken, the player so 
bursting retains his original number in the order of its play. Thus, if 
there are ten players, and No. 2 bursts, he appears again under privilege 
as No. 2, and follows No. i, next stroke. 

Ninth.— \i a player makes a miss, or pockets his own ball, or causes it 
to jump off the table or lodge on the cushion, or if after jumping off it 
should be throvni back upon the table by any of the bystanders — under 
any of these circumstances the ball must be placed on the spot, five 
inches from the bottom cushion on the central line, or should that be oc- 
cupied, then on the red-ball spot, or should that too be occupied, then 
upon the spot at the head of the table. 

Tenth. — Should the spot appropriated to any of the pins which have 
been knocked down be occupied by any of the b«t\ls, the pin must remain 
off until the spot is again uncovered. 

Eleventh. — If a player has made thirty-one tie must proclaim it before 
the next stroke is made ; for which purpose a reasonable delay must be 
allowed for calculation between each play more especially in the latter 
portion of the game. But if a player haj made thirty-one, and fails to 
announce it before next play (a reasonable time having passed), then he 
cannot proclaim the fact until the rotation of play again comes round to 
him. In the meanv^hile, if any other player makes the number and pro- 
claims it properly, he is entitled to the pool, wholly irrespective of the 
fact that the number was made, though noc proclaimed, before. 

Twelfth. — Merely touching a pin or shaking it goes for nothing, and th« 
pin must be replaced on its spot. To count a pin it must be either 
knocked down or removed two full inches from the spot on which it 



398 BILLIARDS. 

stood, in which case it shall be counted even though it maintains thi 
perpendicular. 

Thii'teenth. — A player cannot use any count he may have made by 
playing out of his turn ; but if he has made pins enough to burst him by 
such stroke, the loss is established, unless in cases where he was called 
on to play by some other of the players, or the marker, who either be- 
lieved or pretended it was his turn. In such case he cannot be burst by 
his stroke, and he whose turn it was to play plays next in order. 

Fourteenth, — Pins which have been knocked down by a ball whose 
course has in any wise been illegitimately interfered with do not count : 
nor can pins knocked down by any other ball set in motion by the same 
play be reckoned. 

Fifteenth. — If a ball jump off the table, and be thrown back by any 
of the bystanders in such a way as to knock down pins, such pins do not 
count, and the ball must be considered off the table, and spotted as afore- 
mentioned, and the pins replaced. But if any other ball set in motion 
previous to the jumping of the ball off the table by the same stroke gets 
pins, the pins so made by the other ball must be reckoned. 

Sixteenth, — If the marker finds that there are any of the small balls 
missing, it is then his duty to announce the number of the missing ball, 
as in no case can a player having that ball, or more than one small balJ 
in his possession, win the pool. His other duties consist of keeping and 
calling the game at each stroke, and see that the pins and balls be spotted 
when and as required. 

Seventeenth, — A player taking a privilege is entitled to a stroke to se- 
cure his stake to the pool. 

Eighteenth. — It is the duty of each player to see that he is credited 
with the proper number of points by the marker after each stroke, and no 
claim can be allowed after a succeeding stroke has been made without 
the full consent of the players. 

Nineteenth. — The game-keeper is not responsible to the winner of a 
pool for more than the actual amount received from the players in the 
pool. 

Twentieth. — A player shall not be entitled to any pin or pins knocked 
down by him unless his small ball be placed in its proper place in the 
board. 

Twenty -fii'st, — A player in this game, as in billiards, has th^ ^^ole right 

of looking after his own interests, should see that the pins are up before 

playing, and neither the game-keeper nor any of the bystanders has any 

right to dictate to or advise him, unless by Xhefull consent of the players. 

Twenty-second, — The game-keeper shall collect the pool and make up 



BILLIARDS. 399 

the game ; deal out the small balls to the players ; see that the balls and 
pins are properly spotted ; that there are no more small balls out than 
there are players in the pool, and if any ball or balls are missing, pro- 
claim the number or numbers to the players, as the pool cannot be won 
by such balls ; call out each number in its turn to the players, and pro 
claim, loud enough for him to hear it, the number the player already 
counts from pins knocked down. 

Twenty-third. — No person is considered in the game unless his pool 
be paid in. 

Twenty-fou7'th. — Any pins knocked down by jarring the table, blowing 
upon the pins or ball, or altering or intercepting the ball's course in run- 
ning, does not count, nor is the player entitled to any pin or pins that 
may be made by any ball (though not interfered with) during the same 
play. 

Twenty-fifth. — Should a player, in the act of striking his ball or play- 
ing, knock down pins otherwise than with the ball played with or at, he 
is not entitled to such pins, or any others he may make by the same 
stroke. 

The following notes on Pin Pool apply directly and exclusively to that 
form of it known as the " plant " game. 

1. When a player makes a stroke and knocks down pin or pins, and 
wishes to plant, he must declare that he plants before another stroke is 
made. 

2. But a player wishing to call a planter can plant even if he fail to 
make pins on his preceding stroke. 

3. If those who plant have the same number, thus making a tie, count- 
ing their small ball and the board, the player planting first shall be good 
and the last planter bursted. 

4. If a player in the game should burst, he can purchase any small 
ball still in the game by consent of the player owning such ball. 

5. No player can play the planter's ball but himself. 

6. No player can purchase a ball until his own is dead. 

7. No player can purchase a ball after having seen more than one, 
without the full consent 01 the players. 

8. If the planter should make the four ©utside pins, as in Rule Five of 
Pin Pool relating to natural or ranche, or should make thirty-one for the 
p«*x*eding player, it shall be declared pool for the player planted upon. 



400 BILLIARDS. 



THE RULES OF CUSHION CAROMS. 

Definition. — A cushion carom is when the cue-ball takes one or more 
cushions before effecting a carom, or the cue-ball makes a carom, then 
strikes one or more cushions, then the object-balls. 

A doubtful stroke, calling for a "close decision," must be given in 
favor of the doubt and against the striker — i. e. , when it is difficult to say< 
whether the cue-ball has struck a cushion before or after contact with the 
object-ball. 

First. — The game is begun by stringing for the lead ; the player who 
brings his ball nearest to the cushion at the head of the table winning 
the choice of balls and the right to play first, as in the American game. 
Should the player fail to count, his opponent then makes the next play^ 
aiming at will at either ball on the table. 

Second. — Each cushion carom counts one for the striker. A penalty of 
one shall also be counted against the player for every miss he makes dur- 
ing the game. 

Third. — A ball forced off the table is put back on its proper spot. 
Should the player's ball jump off the table after counting, the count is 
good, the ball is spotted, and the player plays from the spot. 

Fourth. — If the balls are disturbed accidentally, through the medium of 
any agency other than the player himself, they must be replaced, and the 
player allowed to proceed. 

Fifth. — If, in the act of playing, the player disturbs any ball other 
than his own, he cannot make a counting stroke. Should he disturb a 
ball after having played successfully, he loses his count on that shot, his 
hand is out, and the ball so disturbed is placed back as near as possible 
in the position which it formerly occupied on the table, the other balls re- 
maining where they stop. 

Sixth. — When the cue-ball is very near another, the player shall not 
play without warning his adversary that they do not touch, and giving 
him sufficient time to satisfy himself on that point. 

Seventh. — When the cue-ball is in contact with either or both of the 
object-balls, it shall be optional with the player to spot the balls and play 
as at the opening of the game, or to play away from the ball or balls 
with which he is in contact, and count from a cushion. 

Eighth. — When the player's ball is in contact with a cushion, the ball 
may be played so as to rebound from the cushion, and if by reason of 
this rebound it comes in contact with the two object-balls, either before 
or after striking another cushion, the stroke is a vahd cushion carom ; but 
if the player should aim directly at the object-balls when his ball is in con- 



BILLIARDS, 401 

tact with a cushion, without making the cue-ball efther rebound from the 
cushion or take another cushion before effecting the carom, it is no count. 
Nc7ith, — Foul Strokes. — It is a foul and no count can be made : 

1. If a stroke is made except with the point of the cue. 

2. If the cue is not withdrawn from the cue-ball before the lattet- comes 
in contact with an object-ball. 

3. If when in hand the striker plays at a ball that is inside or on the 
string line, or if when in hand he plays from any position not iv ithin the 
six-inch radius. 

4. If in the act of striking, he has not at least one fout touching the 
floor. 

5. If he strikes while a ball is in motion. 

6. If the player touches the cue-ball more than once in any way, or 
hinders or accelerates it in any other way than by a legitimate stroke of 
the cue ; or if, during a stroke or after it, he in any way touches, hinders, 
or accelerates an object-ball except by the one stroke of the cue-ball to 
which he is entitled. 

7. As touching any. ball in any way is a stroke, a second touch is foul. 
Should a ball that has once come to a standstill move without apparent 
cause, while the player is preparing to strike, it shall be replaced. Should 
it move before he can check his stroke, it awd all other balls set in motion 
by that stroke shall be replaced, and thfe player shall repeat his shot, in- 
asmuch as but for the moving of the b*ll he might have counted where 
he missed, or missed where he counted. 

8. It is a foul against the striker if a^y ball be disturbed, hastened, or 
hindered by an opponent, or any one but himself, whether the ball or 
balls are at rest while he is aiming ox striking, in motion after he has 
struck, or at rest again after he has struck, and pending his again taking 
aim ; and he shall have the same option as is given his opponent in Sec. 
7 of this rule. 

9. It is a foul if the striker plays directly at any ball with which his 
own is in fixed contact. 

10. It is a foul to place marks of any kind upon the cloth or cushions 
as a guide to play ; also foul to practice the banking shot for the lead-oflf 
upon the plea of testing the baUs, which, until the moment of banking, 
shall never be hit with a cue, and after banking shall not again be hit 
with the cue until the opening stroke is made ; and it is also foul if the 
striker, in making a shot, is assisted by any other person in any way save 
by being handed the bridge, long cue, or having the chandelier pulled 
fcside, etc. , by the marker, after he has requested the latter to do so. 

11. Playing with the wrong ball is foul. However, should the playet 



using the wrong ball play more than one shot with it, he shall be entitled 
to his score, just the same as if he had played with his own ; as soon as 
his hand is out, the white balls must change places, and the game pro« 
ceed as usual. 

12. Should a player touch his own ball vfiih the cue or otherwise pre- 
vious to playing, it is foul, the player loses one, and cannot play for 
safety. It sometimes happens that the player after having touched his 
ball gives a second stroke ; then the balls remain where they stop, or are 
replaced as near as possible in their former position, at the option of his 
opponent. 

Tenth, — In order to restrict deliberate playing for safety, it shall be 
optional with the non-striker, if his opponent makes a miss in each one 
of three successive innings, to accept the third miss or reject it, and force 
his antagonist to hit at least one object-ball ; and for this purpose that 
antagonist's ball shall be replaced by the referee. Should two bails be hit 
by this stroke, there shall be no count. 

RULES OF THE BALK-LINE GAME. 

First. — The table shall be prepared by the introduction of four lines 
distinctly marked upon the cloth, eight inches from each cushion, and ex- 
tending from end to end, and from side to side of the table. The game 
is played with three balls. 

Second. — The lead and choice of balls are determined by banking from 
inside the string Une, as in the regular three-ball game. 

Third. — i. The player winning the bank may either require his antag- 
onist's ball to be placed on the radius spot, and take the lead himself ; or 
he may have his own ball spotted, and require his opponent to open the 
game. The player opening the game may play from anywhere within a 
six-inch radius of which the spot at the head of the table is the base, but 
can make no count unless his ball has hit the red before hitting the white. 
2. After the opening stroke the striker plays at either ball, from any posi- 
tion m which he may find his own, subject to certain rules as to /oul 
strokes. 

Fourth. — In the opening shot, and also whenever, by a counting stroke, 
he has sent his ball off the table, or lodged it on the cushion rail, and 
likewise whenever he elects to spot baUs that are "fast," the striker is 
^ in hand." The non-striker's ball never becomes " in hand." 

Fifth. — One poimt shall be given the striker for every fair carom, and 
for every failure to hit an object-ball he shall forfeit one point to his aa- 

versary. 

* - 

Note. — The tendency of late has been to extend the balk line, and to make a 
T4risnch balk line. The object is to cause players to make shots requiring larger 
-i-ajfles when the caroms come from the cushion. According, however, to 
prior arrangement, the 8 or the 14 inch balk line may be agreed upon. 



BILLIARDS, 403 

Sixth. — The object-balls shall be in balk as soon as both have stopped 
within any one of the eight spaces defined by the balk lines. A ball on 
the line is a ball within it. 

Seventh, — It is then a foul, and no count can be made. 

THE RULES OF TWO-BALL POOL. 

First, — Player Number One must lead with the red, but has the priv- 
ilege of spotting his ball, in case the lead does not please him. But if, 
in a pushing lead, he does not withdraw his mace or cue from the ball 
before it passes the middle pockets, the stroke is foul, and player Number 
Two has the option of playing at the ball as it is left, having the lead 
played over again, or causing the red to be spotted on the pool spot. 

Second, — Each player has one, two, or more lives, as may be agreed 
on. When he forfeits these he is said to be dead, except when he obtains 
what is called a " privilege," meaning one chance more. 

Third. — This privilege, except where all the players consent to its re- 
maining open, must be taken by the first man *' killed "; and the person 
so killed must determine whether he will accept it or not at once, before 
another stroke is played. [This is the strict rule of the game, and as 
6uch may be enforced ; but as a general practice, the privilege remains 
open until taken up by some one of the players.] 

Fourth. — After a game has been commenced, no one can take a ball, 
except with the consent of all who are already in the game ; and after 
the privilege is gone, no stranger can be admitted to the game under any 
circumstances. 

Fifth. — Any person in the pool whose lives are not exhausted, and who 
thinks a hazard may be be made in a certain position, can claim the 
stroke, or "take the hazard," as it is technically called, in case the striker 
does not choose to risk that particular stroke himself. Should the person 
»vho takes the hazard fail to execute it, he loses a life. 

Sixth. — The player has the best right to take a hazard, and must be 
marked if he fails to pocket the ball, in case any other player in the pool 
has offered to take it. 

Seventh.— In playing out of his turn the player loses a life, unless he 
pockets the object-ball, in which case the ball pocketed loses a life, and 
the next in rotation to the person who ought to have played plays. 

Eighth. — But if one player misdirect another by calling on him to 
play, when it is not his turn, the misdirector, and not the misdirected, 
loses a life, and the next in turn must lead with the red as usual. 

Ninth. — Whoever touches any of the balls while running forfeits a life. 



404 BILLIARDS, 

This rule is invariable, and can only be relaxed by the consent of all the 
players. 

Tenth.— "i^o player can own or have an interest in more than one ball 
at a time ; nor can he buy another. ball, nor own an interest in another 
ball, while his own ball is either alive or privileged. 

Eleventh.— Kitex the number which he drew is dead, he may buy that 
of another player, and take his place ; but if the seller only dispose of an 
interest in his ball, he must either continue to play it himself or sell out 
his ball in toto^ in which latter case any member of the origfinal pool 
may buy and finish out the game. 

Twelfth. — But no person not included in the original pool can be per- 
mitted to buy in and play ; though outsiders may purchase an interest in a 
ball, still permitting the original member of the pool to play it. 

Thirteenth. — If the leader sells his number upon the lead the pur- 
chaser must either allow the lead made to stand or the ball may be spot- 
ted at his option. 

Fourteenth. — A lead once made cannot be changed, even when the 
next player sells his ball to a third party ; but the leader has, at all times* 
the option of having his ball spotted. 

Fifteenth. — No player can strike twice in succession, under any cir^ 
cumstances, except when there are only two players left, and one of them 
has holed his opponent's ball. In that case the person who has pocketed 
the ball must lead for his adversary to play on. 

Sixteenth. — When only two players are left, and either of them wishes 
to divide or sell, his opponent shall have the first right of buying, pro- 
vided that he offers as much as is offered by any of the others who are 
entitled (by having been in the original pool) to purchase. But should 
he not offer as much, then the ball may be sold to the highest duly quali- 
fied bidder. 

Seventeenth. — If a player, playing on the lead, places his ball outside 
of the string, and has his attention called to the fact by the leader before 
the time of striking his ball, it is optional with the leader either to com< 
pel him to play the stroke over again or let the balls remain as they are. 

Eighteenth. — If it be found that the marker has not thrown out balls 
enough for the number of players at the commencement of the game, 
his mistake will not alter the conditions of the pool. The balls must be 
again shaken up and thrown over, and then the game commences. 

With the foregoing exceptions, the rules of the ordinary Ameiican 
game as to striking with both feet off the fioor, interrupting your adversary 
when in the act of striking, etc., etc., may be applied to two-ball pooU 



BILLIARDS. 



405 



RULES OF THE THREE-BALL GAME. 

First. — The game is begun by stringing for the lead ; the player who 
brings his ball nearest to the cushion at the head of the table winning the 
choice of balls and the right to play first, as in the American game. 
Should the player fail to count, his opponent then makes the next play, 
aiming at will at either ball on the table. 

Second. — A carom consists in hitting both object-balls with the cue-bal) 
in a fair and unobjectionable way ; each will count one for the player. A 
penalty of one shall also be counted against the player for every miss 
occuiTing during the game. 

Third. — A ball forced off the table is put back on its proper spot. 
Should the player's ball jump off the table after counting, the count is 
good, the ball is spotted, and the player plays from the spot. 

Fourth. — If in playing a shot the cue is not withdrawn from the cue- 
ball before the cue-ball comes in contact with the object-ball, the shot is 
foul, the player loses his count, and his hand is out. 

Fifth. — If the balls are disturbed accidentally through the medium of 
any agency other than the player himself, they must be replaced and the 
player allowed to proceed. 

Sixth. — If in the act of playing the player disturbs any ball other than 
his own, he cannot make a counting stroke, but he may play for safety. 
Should he disturb a ball after having played successfully, he loses his 
count on that shot ; his hand is out, and the ball so disturbed is placed 
back as near as possible in the position which it formerly occupied on the 
table, the other balls remaining where they stop. 

Seventh. — Should a player touch his own ball with the cue or other- 
wise previous to playing, it is foul, the player loses one, and cannot play 
for safety. It sometimes happens that the player after having touched 
his baU gives a second stroke, then the balls remain where they stop, or 
are replaced as near as possible in their former position at the option of 
kis opponent. 

Eighth. — When the cue-ball is very near another, the player shall not 
play without warning his adversary that they do not touch, and giving 
him sufficient time to satisfy himself on that point. 

Ninth. — When the cue-ball is in contact with another, the balls are 
apotted, and the player plays with his ball in hand. 

Tenth. — Playing with the wrong ball is foul. However, should the 
player using the wrong ball play more than one shot with it, he shall be 
entitled to his score just the same as if he had played with his own ; as 



406 BILLIARDS. 

soon as his hand is out, the white balls must change places, and the gam« 
jMTOceed as usual. 

RULES OF PYRAMID POOL. 

Rule I.* — In match or tournament contests the game is begun by bank- 
ing, the same as in the three or four-ball carom game. The winn^.. oi 
the lead has the option of playing first himself from within the string at 
the head of the table, or obHging his opponent to play first from the same 
place. For convenience, two white balls of the same size as the pool 
balls may be provided for banking. 

When a series of games are played the players must take first stroke 
alternately. ' 

Rule 2.t — The player who makes the opening stroke must play from 
within the string at the head of the table against the pyramid of object- 
balls directly, without first taking a cushion, with such force as either to 
make three of the object-balls strike a cushion, or at least one object-ball 
^o into a pocket. Should he fail to do either, the balls are to be set up 
again, he forfeits three points, and must play again. A second similar 
failure loses him the game. All balls pocketed on the opening stroke 
count for the player, and it is not necessarj^ for him to call the numbers 
of the balls he intends pocketing before making the opening stroke. 

Rule 3. — Before making any other stroke except the opening stroke the 
player must distinctly call the number of the ball he intends to pocket, 
and unless he does so the ball pocketed does not count for him, and must 
be placed on the deep-red spot, or if that be occupied, as nearly below it 
as possible. The player loses his hand, but does not forfeit any points, 
and the next player plays. Should he call more than one ball he must 
pocket all the balls he calls, otherwise none of them can be counted for 
him. 

Rule ^X — After the opening stroke each player must either pocket a 

* This method of determining^ the order of playing is to be used only whon 
there are two players. When there are more than two players, the order oi 
playing is determined by lot ; usually by rolling out of a receptacle, provided 
for the purpose, little numbered balls, which are numbered i, 2, 3, 4, etc., ac* 
cording to the number of players. The player to whose lot No. i falls plays 
first, No. 2 second, and so on. Changing places in playing is not allowed. 

t Should the striker hole the cue-ball in the opening stroke, and by the 
same stroke drive three or more balls against a cushion or into a pocket, he 
forfeits three only for the holding of the cue-ball. 

X Should the striker hole the cue-ball during the game, and by the sam« 



BILLIARDS. 407 

ball or make an object-hdXi strike a cushion, under penalty of forfeiture 
of three points. Two such forfeitures in succession — that is, provided 
no shot is made between — loses the player making them the game. 

Rtile 5. — Should the player pocket, by the same stroke, more balls than 
he calls, he is entitled only to the balls he calls before the stroke. The 
other pocketed balls are to be spotted on the deep-red spot, or if it be oc- 
cupied, as nearly as possible below it. 

Rule 6. — All strokes must be made with the point of the cue, other- 
wise they are foul. 

Rule 7. — When two players only are engaged in a game, and one 
flayer's score amounts to more than the aggregate numbers of the balls 
<:redited to the other player, added to that remaining on the table, the 
game is ended, the player whose score is higher than this total wins. 
But when more than two players are engaged the game is ended only 
when the aggregate of the numbers of the balls remaining on the table 
do not amount to enough to tie or beat the next lowest score. It is the 
duty of the game-keeper to proclaim it when a game is won. 

Rule 8. — A forfeiture of three points is deducted from the player*s 
score for making a miss ; pocketing his own ball ; forcing his own ball 
off the table ; failing to make the opening stroke, as provided in Rule 2 ; 
failing either to make an object-ball strike a cushion or go into a pocket, 
as provided in Rule 4 ; striking his own ball twice ; playing out of his 
turn, if detected doing so before be has made more than one counting 
stroke. 

Rule 9. — A ball whose centre is on the string line must be regarded as 
within the line. 

Rule 10. — If the player pocket one or more of the object-balls, and his 
own ball go into a pocket, or off the table from the stroke, he cannot 
score for the numbered balls, which must be placed on the spot known as 
the deep-red spot ; or, if it be occupied, as nearly below it as possible, 
on a line with the spot, the highest numbered balls being placed the near- 
est ; and he forfeits three for pocketing his own ball or driving it off the 
table. 

Rule II. — A ball going into a pocket and rebounding again on to the 
table is to be regarded in the same light as if it had struck a cushion, and 
is not to be counted as a pocketed ball. It retains its place where it 
comes to rest on the table. An object-ball forced off the table, and re- 
bounding again from some object foreign to the table, must be replaced 



stroke drive one or more balls against a cushion or into a pocket, he forfeit? 
thiFee only for the holing of the gue-baU. 



408 BILLIARDS. 

GO. the deep-red spot, or if that be occupied, as nearly below it as pos- 
sible. If it is the cue-ball it is to be regarded as being off the table and 
in hand. The gas-fixture, or other apparatus for lighting the table, when 
placed directly over the table, is not considered an object foreign to the 
table, and should a ball striking the fixture rebound on to the table, it 
must retain its position on the table where it comes to rest. 

Rule 12. — A ball resting on the cushion must be regarded as off the 
table. 

Rule 13. — When the cue-ball is in hand, the player may play from any 
place within the string at any object-ball outside of it ; but he is not al- 
lowed to play at any object-ball which is within the string. Should none 
of the object-balls be outside, that ball which is nearest outside the string 
should be spotted on the deep-red spot, and the player may play at it. 

Rule 14. — Should the striker touch the cue-ball with the point of his 
cue it shall be accounted a stroke. Should he touch it with any other 
part of the cue except the point, or with his clothing, or anything else, it 
is to be replaced by the referee in its original position, or left as it is 
when it comes to rest, at the option of the next player. The striker loses 
his hand, forfeits three points, and the next player plays. 

Rule 15. — Should the player touch an object-ball with the point or any 
other part of the cue, or with his clothing, or anything else, the ball so 
disturbed is to be replaced by the referee in its original position, or left as 
it is, at the option of the next player. The striker loses his hand, and 
loses three points. 

Rule 16. —A counting stroke cannot be regarded as being completed 
until all balls set in motion by the stroke have come to rest. 

Rule 17. — A stroke made when any of the balls are in motion is foul. 
Should such a stroke be made, the balls are either to be replaced or left 
as they come to rest, at the option of the next player, and the next player 
plays. The striker loses his hand and forfeits three points. 

Rule 18. — Should the player strike his own ball twice he forfeits three 
points, and the balls disturbed in consequence of the second stroke are to 
be replaced by the referee in the position they occupied before the first 
stroke, or left as they are when they come to rest, at the option of the 
next player. The striker loses his hand, and the next player plays. 

Rule 19. — Should a player play out of his turn it is foul. The balls 
should be replaced in the position they occupied before the stjroke, and he 
whose turn it was plays. But should a player, playing out ff his turn, 
make more than one stroke before being checked, the strokes so made 
are fair, and he is entitled to any counts he may have m^e by such 
strokesj and he may continue his olay until his hand is out. Aft«r his 



BILLIARDS. 409 

hand is out (and the player whose turn he took, plays), he is not to play 
again when his regular turn comes, and not until his regular turn comes 
around the second time. 

Rule 20. — Should the balls, or any of them, on the table be accident- 
ally disturbed by any other person or cause than the player, they are to 
be replaced as nearly as possible in their original position, and the player 
may continue. 

Rule 21. — Push-shots are allowed — that is, it is not necessary to with- 
draw the point of the cue from the cue-ball before the latter touches an 
object-ball. When the cue-ball is in contact with another ball, the player 
may play directly at the ball with which it is in contact. 

Rule 22. — When the striker is in hand, should he play at any ball that 
is within the string line, or if, when in hand, he plays from any position 
not within the string line without being checked previous to the stroke 
being made, any score he may make from such stroke he is entitled to ; 
but if he is checked before making the stroke, and then makes it, it does 
not count for him. His hand is out, and the next player plays. 

Rule 23. — It is foul, and the striker forfeits three points, if while in the 
act of striking he has not at least one foot touching the floor. 

Rule 24.^ — It is foul if the striker removes obstructions from the table, 
though it is his privilege to demand their removal ; his hand is out, he 
forfeits three points, and the next player plays. 

Rule 25. — Should a ball that has come to a standstill move without ap- 
parent cause while the player is preparing to strike, it must be replaced. 
Should it move before he can stop his stroke, it and all the other balls set 
in motion by that stroke must be replaced, and the player shaU repeat his 
stroke ; inasmuch as but for the moving of the ball he might have counted 
where he missed, or missed where he counted. 

Rule 26. — Tie games, except in match or tourney games, when two 
players contend for prizes or for a money stake, must be decided by lot in 
the same manner as the order of playing is determined. The player to 
whose lot the lowest number falls is the loser ; or the ties may be deter- 
mined by the position of the players in the game next after that in which 
they have tied, provided all the parties interested agree. When two 
players are playing in match or tourney games a tie game is reckoned as 
void and must be played over to determine the winner. 

Rule 27. — In this game no player is allowed to withdraw before the 
game is played out ; by so doing he forfeits the game. 

* This rule applies only to match or tournament games, where but two 
players are contending for prises or a money stake. 



410 BILLIARDS 



FIFTEEN-BALL POOL. 

This game is played with fifteen numbered balls, as in Pyramid Pool, 
the rules of which are given on page 381. The sixteenth ball is white 
and is not numbered. Before beginning the game, the fifteen balls, 
which are numbered from i to 15, are placed at the far end of the table 
in the form of a triangle with the 15 ball at the apex. All the high 
numbers are near the apex and the smaller numbers form the base. The 
Rules of Pyramid Pool govern this game, except that: 

If the striker pockets the cue ball on the opening stroke and fails to 
make two balls in the pyramid touch the cushion, he forfeits three. In 
a match or tournament, if he fails to do this, the balls are reassembled 
in triangle and he forfeits two points. Every failure causes the player 
to receive a scratch and he must pay a forfeit of three. Three successive 
forfeitures lose the game to the player making them. If two players 
only are competing, and the score — that is, the sum of the numbers on 
the balls — of one player amounts to more than the aggregate numbers on 
the balls credited to the other player and those on the table, he wins. 
If the balls are disturbed they can be replaced or left as they are. 

Rules 23 and T.y of Pyramid Pool are omitted altogether. In Rules 2, 
4, 8, 10, 13, 16, and 21 the forfeiture is three points instead of one ball. 
At the opening the striker is entitled to all balls pocketed. 

CHICAGO POOL. 

Chicago Pool is played with fifteen numbered balls also. The object 
of the game is to put the balls into the pockets in numerical order. The 
table is arranged in this way: 

One-ball is placed against the cushion at the foot of the table at the 
first right-hand diamond — the right being upon the right of a player 
facing the head of the table; the 2-ball at the centre diamond of the same 
cushion, and the third at the first diamond on the left; then 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 
and 9 balls are placed against the left-hand cushion and the 10, 11, 12, 
13, 14, and 15 against the right-hand cushion. It does not really matter 
how the numbers are placed. 

After the decision as to who is to lead, the first player must hit ball 
No. I. If he puts it in the hole it goes to his credit and he plays for 
No. 2, and so on until he misses. If in playing on 2 he also pockets 15, 
both count for him. The rules of Fifteen-Ball Pool, except where they 
conflict with the above, govern this game. 



BILLIARDS. 411 



BOTTLE POOL. 

The old American Athletic Club of New York City adopted a set of 
rules for this game which have been accepted as standard. They are: 

This game is played on a pool table with one white ball, the i and the 2 
ball, and the pool bottle. The i and the 2 ball must be spotted at the 
foot of the table at the diamonds nearest each pocket, while the pool 
bottle stands on its neck on the bottle spot in the centre of the table. 

1. Any number of persons may play, the rotation of the players being 
decided on as in ordinary pool. 

2. The game consists of thirty-one points. 

3. The first player, called player number one, shall play with the white 
ball from any point within the string at the head of the table, at either 
the I or 2 ball, as he may prefer. 

4. The player who has the least number of points at the end of the 
game shall be considered the loser 

5. The player who leads must play at one of the object balls before 
making a carom on the pool bottle. 

6. A player making more than thirty-one points is hurst, and must 
begin over again. He does not thereby lose his shot; and all that he can 
make over and above thirty-one points is scored on his new string. 

7. When a player caroms on the bottle from any of the balls in such 
a way as to set the bottle on its bottom, he wins the game, then and 
there, and under all circumstances. 

8. If thf. I or 2 ball touches the bottle, and, in the same play, it is 
knocked over or stood on bottom by the cue ball, it does not score to the 
player's credit. 

9. When the player forces the bottle off the table or into a pocket, 
the bottle must be spotted — i.e., replaced — on its proper spot in the centre 
of the table, and the player loses his shot and forfeits one point, the next 
player playing. 

10. The player cannot use the bridge, but he may use the tip of the 
cue or the butt end of it, according to preference. 

11. After the ball is spotted, if it be the i-ball, it must be spotted on 
the red spot at the foot of the table, or if that be occupied the ball must 
then be spotted at the i-ball spot at the diamond; again, if that be oc- 
cupied, then on the 2-ball diamond. This same law governs the spotting 
of the 2-ball also. 

12. The player who makes a foul stroke shall lose his shot, and further- 
more forfeit one point if he has any points to his credit. 



412 



BILLIARDS, 



(a) It shall be a foul stroke when the player misses both object balls, 
(i?) When he misses 'both balls and knocks down the bottle. 

(c) When the player knocks down the bottle with his cue or person. 

(d) When the cue ball is forced off the table. 

(^) When the bottle is forced into a pocket or off the table, 
(f) W^hen the player knocks down the bottle with the cue ball prior to 
coming in contact with an object ball. 

(^) If the player has not one foot, at least, touching the floor. 

13. Whenever the bottle is knocked over by a carom or an object ball, 
and it cannot be put on its proper space on its neck without coming in 
contact with an object ball, the bottle must then be spotted on its proper 
spot. If, however, this happens to be occtipied, it must then be spotted 
on the red-ball spot, or, if that also be occupied, on the white-ball spot. 

14. The player does not forfeit a poiiit when, in playing, he knocks 
the bottle off the table or on to a cushion with one of the object balls, but 
he forfeits his shot and the next player plays. 

15. Whenever the bottle spot is occupied by an object ball and it is 
necessary to spot the bottle, it must be spotted on the red-ball spot, or, 
that being occupied, on the white-ball spot. 

When a player has made thirty-one points he must announce the fact 
before the next stroke is made. If he does not he cannot announce it 
until his next play. In the meantime, if another player make thirty-one 
and announce it in the proper manner, he has the right to the pool. 

In scoring, carom on two balls counts two points; pocket the i ball, 
one point; pocket the 2 ball, two points; caroming from ball and up- 
setting bottle counts five points; to upset bottle to standing position, ten 
points. 

If a player sends his own ball into the pocket, the score he has made 
during the play is void and he takes one off his string. If he runs over 
the end of the game he has to start over again, with the privilege of 
continuing to play until he fails to score. A scratch takes off one point. 
If the player hits the bottle before missing the ball, he takes one off his 
string. If a player knocks the bottle off the table, he has to start over 
again. 

BLOCK OR EVERLASTING POOL. 

This game may be played by any number of persons and in the ordi- 
nary manner, except that it is for lives only, without a subscribed stake. 

It is played with colored balls, which are played in the order named: 
white, red, yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, spot white, spot red. Red 
plays white, yellow plays red, brown plays green, etc. After all the 
colored balls are on the table the black one is placed there. At this the 



BILLIARDS, 413 

first striker plays. A player pocketing a colored ball may play at the 
black, and if he holes it he receives not only the life he took for the 
colored ball, but also the value of a life from each player. If he misses 
the black or forces his own ball off the table, he pays a life to each 
player. No ball can be moved to allow the striker to play on the black, 
but the black may be removed to permit the striker to play on the right 
object ball. 

Any person can enter the game at any time, but cannot play in the 
round. He may also, on stating his intention, retire at any time. 

The price of a life is determined before the game starts. 

THE PLANT GAME. 

This is another variety of pin pool. When a player making si stroke 
knocks down a pin and wishes to "plant," he must announce that he 
plants before he makes another stroke. A player who wishes to call a 
planter may plant, even though he failed to make pins on his preceding 
stroke. When the players who plant have the same number, counting 
their small ball and the board, the player who plants first shall be good 
and the last planter bursted. When a player bursts he can buy any small 
ball in the game with the consent of the owner. No player may play 
the planter's ball but himself. No player may buy a ball until his own 
is dead. 

RUSSIAN OR FIVE-BALL POOL. 

Russian Pool is played by two persons and with five balls: two white — 
for the contestants — one red, one white or pink or green, and one yellow. 
The game generally is thirty-six points. 

The red ball is placed on the spot at the head of the table', the white 
on the centre spot, and the yellow at the foot. The first player may play 
from any point and is not obliged to touch a ball. If his ball touches 
any of the colored balls, he loses a point for each ball touched and the 
balls are replaced on the spots. The second player must hit the white 
ball of his adversary. The white balls score two points each and may be 
driven into all pockets. The yellow ball scores six points and can be 
sent only into the centre pocket. If a ball is put in any pocket but the 
one intended, it loses the number of points which otherwise it would 
have gained. A carom scores two on whatever balls made. 

If the spot of a ball that has been pocketed is occupied, it must be 
put on the spot furthest from its spot. If all the spots are occupied, it 
must be placed on the small line the furthest away toward the other 
balls. 



414 BILLIARDS. 

If a player other than the one playing touches a ball when it is in 
motion, he loses the ball and the player continues to play. A player 
who is playing must not touch his own ball or a colored one. If he 
does he loses its value. He loses nothing if he touches his adversary's 
ball, but the latter can leave the ball where it stops or can take it into 
his hand. 

LOSING PYRAMIDS. 

This is seldom played. It is the reverse of Pyramids. It consists of 
losing hazards, each player using the same striking ball and taking a 
ball from the pyramid on each losing hazard. The balk is no protection 
in this variation. 

SHELL-OUT. 

This is also a variation of the Pyramid game and any number can play 
it. For each winning hazard the striker gets from each player a small 
stake, and for each losing hazard he pays them a small stake. This is 
kept up until the pocketing of the white or the last colored ball. 

HIGH-LOW-JACK GAME. 

A set of balls used in the Fifteen-Ball game is used in this variation 
of Pyramid Pool. Any number can play. The 15-ball is High, the 
I -ball Low, the 9-ball Jack, and the highest aggregate game. Where 
players have one and two to go to end the game, the first balls holed score 
out first. 

In setting up the pyramid, the High, I^ow, and Jack balls are placed 
in the centre, with high at the head of the three named balls. When 
the players have one each to go, in place of setting up the pyramid, a 
ball is placed at the foot of the table in direct line with the spots and 
must be pocketed by banking. The player pocketing it first wins. The 
rules for Fifteen-Ball Pool govern this game. 

SPANISH BILLIARDS. 

This game is played more in Mexico, Cuba, New Orleans, and Cali- 
fornia than it is in other parts of the country, although it is played fre- 
quently in all billiard parlors. It is played with two white balls, one 
red, and five pins like the pins used in pin pool. The red ball is placed 
on its spot and it is struck by the first player from within the back semi- 
circle. The five pins are set in the form of a square in the centre of the 
table, one pin being set in the centre of the square. The game is thirty- 
nine points. Hazards, caroms, and knocking over the pins count. 



BILLIARDS. 



415 



The player knocking down a pin after striking a ball scores two 
points, and gets four points if he knocks down two pins. He gets two 
points for every pin knocked down, except for the middle pin, for 
which, if he knocks it down alone, he gets five points. 

The player who pockets the red ball gets three points in addition to 
two for each pin knocked down by the same stroke. The white ball 
counts two and each carom counts two. If a player knock down pins 
with his own ball before striking another ball, he forfeits two for each 
pin knocked down. If he puts his ball in a pocket without hitting 
another ball, he forfeits three points; while for missing altogether he 
loses one. If he forces his own ball off the table without hitting an- 
other ball, he loses three points; and if he does this after making a 
forfeit or carom, he loses as many points as he would have won. The 
laws of the four-ball game (page 390) apply to this, except where they 
conflict with these special rules. 

TWO-CUSHION CAROM. 

In this game the rules are the same as those observed for Cushion 
Caroms (page 400), the only difference in the play being that the player 
must strike two instead of one cushion between the balls. The three- 
cushion carom game, which is very rare, requires the hitting of three 
cushions between balls. 

TWO-BALL GAME. 

This game of billiards is rarely seen in this country. Fancy players 
and those who like variety play it at times. The rules of the ordinary 
game govern this. In Mexico, Spain, and South America it is quite a 
favorite. The player must touch two cushions with the cue ball before 
he hits the other. 

THE GAME OF SNOOKER. 

This is one of the most popular and entertaining extensions of 
Pyramid Pool, In addition to the fifteen balls of the pyramid, a given 
number of pool balls are placed on the table, as shown in the diagram 
on page 416. 

A player must pocket a pyramid ball before he can play at one of the 
pool balls, and he is not permitted to strike a pool ball before he strikes 
a pyramid ball. If he does, his adversary scores as many points as the 
pool ball struck would have been worth had it been pocketed under the 



4i6 



BILLIARDS. 



rules. The balls used at Snooker are: Black, which scores seven; blue, 
six; pink, five; brown, four; green, three; yellow, two. 

The black is placed on the spot occupied by the red in billiards; the 




blue at the apex of the pyramid; the brown on the spot to the left of the 
balk; the green in the centre of the same; the pink in the centre of the 
table; yellow on the right-hand spot of balk. 



BILLIARDS, 417 

When any of the pool balls are pocketed they are replaced on their 
own spots. When a pyramid ball has been pocketed the player must 
play at a pool ball. If all the pool balls are covered by pyramid balls 
he is snookered. If he can, he may strike any one of the pool balls by 
first striking a cushion. He must call his spot. A game of Snooker 
takes longer than two games of Pyramid. 

It is great fun in this game to put a white ball so close behind a pool 
ball that the next player cannot hit a pyramid ball, which snookers him 
from all of them. 

LAWS OF THE GAME OF SNOOKER. 

Any number can play. A new player can enter at the end of a round, 
or an old one can stop. 

The player shall first play at a red ball and cannot play at a ball of an- 
other color until after he has pocketed a red ball. He can play at any 
number of red balls in succession, but after he has taken a colored ball 
he may play again and take a red ball prior to again playing on a colored 
ball. 

A player who has taken a red ball and then put a colored ball into 
a pocket shall replace the latter on the original spot before playing again. 
For every colored ball which is not put back each player must pay a 
penalty of one point for each stroke made by him until said ball is re- 
placed. 

A player is responsible for the proper placing of the balls and that they 
all are on the right spots, and this he must see to before he plays. He 
is liable to be called upon for a penalty of one point for every ball not in 
its proper place prior to the making of a stroke. The striker may be re- 
quired to replace any ball out of place. 

For every ball pocketed the striker receives its value from every one 
of the players. Any penalties must also be paid to each player. If a 
player strikes one or more balls and pockets his own, he must forfeit 
the value of the ball first struck. If he pockets the ball he plays for, and 
caroms and pockets one or more colored balls, he must receive the value 
of the ball he played for and pay the value of the highest colored ball he 
pocketed. This does not apply to red balls, any number of which may 
be pocketed. 

For striking the wrong ball the striker pays the value of the ball hit. 
But one colored ball can be taken at the same stroke. For making a miss 
and running in, the striker loses one point. The other rules as adopted 
by one of the leading billiard parlors of New York follow; 



4i8 BILLIARDS. 

If, when playing on a red ball, the striker misses and hits a colored 
ball and with the same stroke accidentally pockets one or more of the red 
balls, he loses the value of the colored ball he hit first and cannot there- 
fore score. The red balls thus pocketed must be put back on the table. 

If, after all the red balls are pocketed, the player shall pocket a 
colored ball and then carom on to one or more colored balls and pocket 
them also, he is entitled to receive the value of the ball he first played 
at and may pay the value of the highest colored ball he pocketed in the 
same stroke. 

If, when all the red balls are pocketed, the player pocket his own ball 
as well as the colored ball he played at, the ball pocketed shall be put 
on the table and the player must lose the value of the colored ball. 

When the white ball is touching a colored ball the striker cannot score; 
he must, however, play his stroke and is liable to any penalties incurred. 

When more than one error is committed in one stroke, the very highest 
penalty must be exacted. Penalties do not hold good after one complete 
round has been played. 

When a player forces a ball off the table he must pay the full value 
of that ball, or, if it be in the case of the white ball, as if he had made a 
coup. 

For making a foul stroke or fouling another ball the player may not 
scote. 

For playing out of turn the striker must pay one point to each of the 
other players, besides any other penalty incurred, and furthermore he 
shall not receive any of the points he has won. 

No ball can be temporarily taken up. No red ball can be replaced on 
the table, save when forced off or for a foul stroke, or as mentioned 
above. 

When it is necessary to . replace a colored ball and the spot is oc- 
cupied, it must be placed on the nearest vacant spot. All disputes must 
be decided by a majority of the players, unless a referee has been agreed 
upon. 



TAROT. 



419 



TAROT. 

Special cards are required for Tarot, the game taking its name from 
an additional series of cards known as tarots. The game can be played 
by taking two packs of cards and adding numerals to the additional 
cards. 

According to the nationality of the players, the number of cards vary. 
There are tarot packs of eighty and of seventy-eight cards, but usually 
a pack of fifty-four cards is used in the United States. This pack q\ 
fifty-four cards is made up as follows : In hearts, the king, queen, 
knright or jack, and valet, four, three, two, ace — eight cards. In dia- 
monds, king, queen, knight or jack, and valet, four, three, two, and ace 
— eight cards. In clubs, king, queen, knight or jack, and valet, nine, 
eight, seven, and six. In spades, the same cards — eight in all. In addi- 
tion to these, there are the regular twenty-one tarots, variously designated 
with many fanciful names, such as *' the death," " the moon," etc. These 
cards have numerals printed on them, beginning with one and ending 
with twenty-one. There is one more tarot called the fool or the joker. 
This is a card which has neither hearts, diamonds, clubs, nor spades on 
it, but is pictured like a jack." It is the highest trump and can take every- 
thing. It has also exclusive privileges, and the holder of it, when tarots 
are led, if he announces it, need not follow suit, unless he chooses to. 
The tarots take all the other cards, as would trumps, the joker being the 
highest, the one of tarots the lowest. In the other suits, the king is 
highest, then queen, next knight or jack, then valet, the other cards ac- 
cording to their pips. There being thirty-two cards with diamonds, 
hearts, clubs, and spades, with the twenty-two tarots, that makes fifty- 
four cards. 

There are two methods of playing Tarot, either counting points or 
tricks. 

In the United States the point game is generally played, and four 
play. Twelve cards are given to each person, which is forty-eight cards, 
leaving six cards over, which are turned face downward. No trump is 
made. The elder hand, if not satisfied with his cards, can bid for the 
privilege of taking these six cards. Say he bids two chips. He has to 
pay two chips to each of the players. Anybody else bidding more can 
take these cards. The person taking these cards discards his own cards. 

Trumps are the tarots, and the twenty-one of tarots count foiir, the 
joker four, the kings four, queens three, knights and valets two each. 



420 BA CKGAMMON. 

Suits must be followed. Taking the last trick counts two. The person 
winning must have the greatest number of points. 

When played for tricks, the player taking the greatest number of tricks 
wins. 

Both the games of points and tricks may be played with partners. 

As has been before stated, Tarot varies greatly in the method of playing 
it. Germans, Swiss, Italians, and Spaniards all have different ways, 
using packs of cards having from fifty-two to eighty cards in them. No 
two nationalities play the game alike. In the United States all latitude is 
permissible in Tarot. 

Tarot has at least this much of interest in it, that it is among the very 
oldest of games of cards, there being positive evidence of its having been 
played in Italy at the close of the fourteenth century. Requiring special 
cards, it is not likely to be ever again much in vogue. 



BACKGAMMON. 

Backgammon tables are marked with twenty-four point s^ colored al- 
ternately white and black, or white and red (see diagram). The points 
should be sufficiently long to hold five men, about half of the fifth man 
projecting beyond the point. Between the points in White's tables and 
those in Black's tables is a space on which the dice are thrown. 

The points are thus named ; the one to the extreme left in White's 
inner table (see diagram) is called White's ace point ; the next White's 
deuce point ; the others in order White's trois, quatre, cinque, and six 
points. The ace point in White's outer table is called his bar point, and 
the others in order the deuce, trois, quatre, cinque, and six points of 
White's outer table. 

The points in the opposite tables are similarly named for Black. 

The men are the same as those used for Draughts, only fifteen white 
and fifteen black men are required, instead of twelve. 

The men may be reversed, making the outer table of what in the dia- 
gram is the inner table, and vice versa. It is immaterial which way they 
are disposed ; it is usual, however, to make the home table the one near- 
est the light. 

The dice-boxes are one for each player. The dice are two in number. 



BACKGAMMON, 



421 



DESCRIPTION OF THE GAME. 

INTRODUCTORY. 

Backgammon is played by two persons, who occupy positions opposite 
to each other, where the words " White " and *' Black " occur in the dia- 
gram, the player of the white men being placed by Black's tables, and 



WHITE. 



BLACK'S INNER TABLE. 



black's outer table. 




white's inner table. white's outer table. 

BLACK. 



vice **ersd. The board is furnished at the commencement of a game ai 
shown in the diagram. 

THROWING. 

Each player takes one dice-box and shakes one die in it, two fingers 
being placed over the open end of the box, to prevent the die from being 
shaken out. 



422^ BACKGAMMON ^ 

After shaking, the die is thrown on the board. The player who throws 
the higher number has the first play. He may either adopt the two num- 
bers thrown, or he may take up the dice and throw them again, 

PLAYING. 

After throwing, the caster should call the numbers thrown. Thus, ft 
he throws four, two, he calls quatre, deuce (the higher number always 
being called first), and proceeds to play any of his men a number of 
points corresponding to the numbers thrown. 

The march of the men is from the opponent's inner table to his outer 
table, then to the caster's outer table, and lastly to his home table. It is 
obvious that the white and black men are played in opposite directions. 

One man may be played the whole throw, or one man one of the num 
bers thrown and the other man the other. Thus White might play 
quatre, deuce by carrying one man from the six point of Black's outer 
table to his own six point ; or he might play one man from the deuce 
point of his outer table to his quatre point, and another man from his six 
point to his quatre point. 

When men are played in the last-named way, so as to occupy a pre- 
viously blank point with two men it is called making a point. White 
might similarly play any other of his men — e. g.^ one from his outer table 
to his six point, and any other man four points. 

If White plays in this way, the man played a quatre will remain on a 
point by himself. This is called leavi?ig a blot. 

If two similar numbers are thrown (called doublets)^ the caster plays 
double what he throws. Thus, if he throws aces, he plays four aces in- 
stead of two, and so on for other doublets. 

WTiile White is playing, Black puts the dice in his box and shakes 
them, and, as soon as White's play is completed, Black throws, and simi- 
larly calls his throw, and plays it. 

The players throw and play alternately throughout the game. 

LIMITATIONS IN PLAYING. 
The only limitations to the play are, that neither player can play {a) 
beyond his own home table, nor {b) on to any point occupied by two or 
more of his adversary's men. Thus : if White throws cinque, ace, he 
cannot play a cinque in Black's inner table, nor an ace from Black's outer 
table to his own inner table, because the points are already occupied by 
Black. He could play cinane, ace from Black's inner table by playing 
the ace first and then the cinque, but not by playing the cinque first. In 
this position the play is not affected, as the caster is at liberty to play first 



BACKGAMMON, 423 

whichever number he chooses ; but there are many positions In which th« 
play would be affected by this limitation. 

Any part of a throw which cannot be played is lost ; but the caster 
must play the whole throw if he can. Thus, if the men were differently 
situated and the caster, having made the same throw, could play an ace 
and could not play a cinque, his play is completed as soon he has carried 
the ace. But if by playing the cinque first he could afterward play th« 
ace, he must play his throw in that manner. 

HITTIN9 BLOTS. 

If the caster plays a man to a point which is occupied by a single ad- 
verse man, he is said to hit a blot. The man hit is taken off the table 
and placed on the bar, and has to be played into the adversary's inner 
table at the next throw, called entering. If an ace is thrown, the man 
is entered on the ace point, and so on for other numbers. Of course he 
cannot be entered on any point that is occupied by two or more adverse 
men. If the points corresponding to both the numbers thrown are oc- 
cupied, or if doublets are thrown and the corresponding point is oc- 
cupied, the player who has a man up cannot enter him. A player is not 
permitted to play any other man while he has a man to enter ; conse- 
quently, in the case supposed, his throw is null and void. 

It sometimes happens that one player has a man up, and that his ad- 
versary has his home table made up — i. e. , occupied by two or more men 
on all the points of it. In this case it is obvious that the player who is 
up cannot enter ; and, as it is useless for him to throw, his opponent con- 
tinues throwing and playing until he opens a point on his home table. 

Two or more blots may be taken up at once, or in successive throws, if 
numbers are thrown that will hit them. It is not compulsory to hit a blot 
if the throw can be played without. 

BEARING. 

The game proceeds as described until one player has carried all his 
men into his home table. He has then the privilege of taking his men 
off the board, or of hearing them. Thus, suppose his home table is 
made up and he throws quatre, trois. He bears one man from his quatre 
point and one from his trois point. Or, if he prefers it, he may play a 
quatre from his six or cinque point, and a trois from his six, cinque, or 
quatre point ; or he may play one and bear the other. If he cannot pla.y 
any part of the throw he must bear it ; thus, if he has no man on his six 
or cinque points, he must bear the quatre. If he throws a number wb«»-b 



424 



BACKGAMMON-. 



IS higher than any point on which he has a man, he must bear the man 
from the highest occupied point. Thus, if he has no man on his six 
point and throws a six, he must bear from his cinque point, or, if that is 
unoccupied, from his quatre point, and so on. Suppose he throws 
cinque, deuce, and has no man on his six point and only one man on his 
cinque point. He may, if he pleases, play the deuce from his cinque 
point and bear the cinque from his quatre point, or from his next highest 
occupied point. And, of course, in the reverse case, if he throws an acey 
and his ace point is unoccupied, he must play the ace. 

Doublets similarly entitle the caster to bear or play four men. 

If, after a player has commenced bearing his men, he should be hit on 
a blot, he must enter on his opponent's inner table ; and he cannot bear 
any more men until the one taken up has re-entered his own home table. 

The adversary similarly bears his men as soon as he has carried them 
all home. 

The player who first bears all his men, wins the game. 

The game counts a single or hit if the adversary has borne any of his 
men ; a double game or gammon if the adversary has not borne a man ; 
and a triple or quadruple game (accordihg to agreement) or backgammon^ 
if at the time the winner bears his last man the adversary (not having 
borne a man) has a man up, or one in the winner's inner table. 

Should a player, having borne a man, be taken up, he can only lose a 
hit, even if he fails to enter the man before the adversary bears all his. 

When a series of games is played, the winner of a hit has the first throw- 
in the succeeding game ; but if a gammon or backgammon is won, the 
players each throw a single die to determine the first throw of the next 
game. 

HINTS. 

1. In order to play Backgammon well it is necessary to know all the 
jfcances on two dice. 

For example : you have to leave a blot, Cceteris paribus^ it should be 
left where there is the least probability of its being hit. To find the 
chance of being hit on an ace : the number of ways in which two dice can 
be thrown is thirty-six ; of these, twenty-five will not contain an ace, 
eleven will contain an ace. Consequently, it is 25 to ii against being hit 
on an ace. 

The following table gives the odds against being hit on any number 
within the reach of single or double dice : 



BACKGAMMON. 



42 



It Is 25 to II or about 9 to 4 against oein^ hit on i 



i< 


24 to 12 


or 


? 


to I 




32 to 14 or about 3 


to 2 




21 to 15 


or 


7 


to 5 




21 to 15 


or 


7 


to 5 




19 to 17 


or 


9^ 


to 8, 




30 to 6 


01 


5 


to I 




30 to 6 


or 


5 


to I 




31 to 5 or about 6 


to 1 




33 to 3 


or 


11 


to I 




34^0 2 


or 


17 


to I 




35 to I 


or 


17 


to I 



(( tt 

(t (( 

t( l( 

II (t 

t( it 

(( tt 

it tt 

ft t( 

tt tt 



2 

3 
4 
5 
6 

7 
8 

9 

10 

II 
12 



The table shows that if a blot must be left within the reach .^ a sin^lt 
die {i. e.^ on any number from i to 6), the nearer it is left to an adverse 
man the less probability there is of its being hit ; also, that it is long odds 
against being hit with double dice (/. e,^ on any number from 7 to 12), 
and that then the further off the blot is the less chance is there of its being 
hit. 

The table assumes that there is only one adverse man within range. 
Of course, the chances of being hit are much greater if several points 
within range are occupied. On the other hand, if any intervening points 
are held by men belonging to the player who leaves the blot, the chance 
of being hit will be in proportion less. Thus, a blot may be hit with 
eight in six ways ; but, if the fourth point is blocked, the blot can only be 
hit in four ways, and so on. 

2. You should strive to make points where there is the best chance of 
obstructing or of hitting the opponent. When obliged to leave blots, you 
should, as a rule, leave them where they are least likely to be hit, the 
solution of this being afforded by the above table. But, sometimes it is 
to your interest to leave blots purposely, in order to be taken up (see 
Hints 6 and 7), when the reverse policy should be adopted. 

3. The best play for every possible throw at the commencement Df the 
game is as follows : 

Sixes (the second best throw). — Carry two men to your adversary's 
bar point, and two to your own bar point. 

Six, cinque, six, quatre, and six, trois.— Carry a man from your 
adversary's ace point as far as he will go. 

Six, deuce. — Carry a man from your adversary's outer table to thf 
cinque point in your home table. 

Six. ace. — Make your bar poiat. 



426 BACKGAMMON. 

Cinques. — Carry two men from your adversary's outer table to the 
trois point in your inner table. 

Cinque, quatre. — Carry a man from your adversary's ace point to 
the quatre point in his outer table. 

Cinque, trois. — Make the trois point in your home table. 

Cinque, deuce. — Play two men from the five in your adversary's 
outer table. 

Cinque, ace. — Play the cinque from the five men in your adversary's 
outer table, aiid the ace from his ace point. If playing for a gammon, 
play the ace from the six to the cinque point in your home table. 

Quatres. — Play two men from the ace to the cinque point in your op- 
ponent's inner table, and two from the five men in his outer table. For 
a gammon, instead of playing the men in your opponent's inner table, 
carry two men from his outer table to your own cinque point. 

Quatre, trois. — Play two men from the five in your adversary's outer 
table. 

Quatre, deuce. — Make the quatre point in your own table. 

Quatre, ace. — Play the quatre from the five men in your adversary's 
outer table, and the ace from his ace point. 

Trois. — Play two on the cinque point in your home table, and two on 
the quatre point of your adversary's inner table. For a gammon, play 
the last two instead on the trois point of your inner table. 

Trois, deuce. — Play two men from the five in your adversary's outer 
table. 

Trois, ace. — Make the cinque point in your inner table. 

Deuces. — Play two on the quatre point in your inner table, and two 
on the trois point in your opponent's inner table. For a gammon, play 
the last two instead from the five men in your opponent's outer table. 

Deuce, ace. — Play the deuce from the five men in your adversary's 
outer table, and the ace from his ace point. For a gammon, play the ace 
from the six to the cinque point in your inner table. 

Aces (the best throw). — Play two men on your bar point and two on 
your cinque point. This throw is often given by way of odds. 

4. At the beginning of the game you should endeavor to secure your 
cinque point, or your adversary's cinque point, or both. If successful in 
this, you should play a bold game for a gammon. The next best point 
to hold is your bar point, and next to that your quatre point. 

5. If you are so fortunate as to secure all these points, and your adver- 
sary's inner table is not favorably made up, you should open your bar 
point, in hopes of compelling the opponent to run out of your home 
table with a six and to leave two blots, and you should also spread your 



BACKGAMMON. 427 

men is the outer tables — i, e.^ not crowd a number of men on one point. 
This will give you a good chance of hitting the blots on your bar point 
and ace point. And, 

6. Should you hit both these men, and your adversary have a blot in 
his inner table, you ought not to make up your home table, but leave a 
blot there in hopes of the adverse man's being obliged to enter on it. 
You then have a chance of hitting a third man, which will give you con- 
siderable odds in favor of winning a gammon ; whereas, if you have only 
two adverse men up, the odds are against your gammoning the oppo- 
nent. 

7. If, in endeavoring to gain your own or your adversary's cinque point, 
you leave a blot and are hit, and your adversary is more forward in the 
game than you (see Hint 8), you should play another man on your cinque 
or bar point, or in your adversary's home table. If this man is not hit 
you may then make a point and get as good a game as your opponent. 
If the man is hit you must play a back game — /. ^., allow yoUr adversary 
to take up as many men as he likes, and then, in entering the men taken 
up, you should endeavor to hold your adversary's ace and trois points or 
ace and deuce points, and if possible you should keep three men on his 
ace point, so that if you hit a blot from there, you still keep the ace point 
guarded. 

8. To find which player is forwarder, reckon how many points you re- 
quire to carry all your men to your six point. Add to this six for every 
man on your six point, five for every man on your cinque point, and so 
on ; and then make the same calculation for your adversary's men. 

9. Whenever you have two of your opponent's men up, and have made 
two or more points in your home table, spread your other men, for the 
chance of making another point in your home table, and of hitting the 
man your opponent enters. As soon as he enters, if your game is equal 
to or better than his, take up the man, except you are playing for a hit 
only and you can play the throw so as to make points that obstruct his 
running out, which gives you a better chance for the hit. 

10. Always take up a man if the blot you leave can only be hit with 
double dice, except when playing for a hit only, and you have two of 
your opponent's men in your home table and your game is the forwarder. 
For your having three of his men in your table gives him a better chance 
of hitting you without leaving a blot. 

11. In entering a man which it is to your adversary's advantage to hit, 
leave the blot on the lowest point you can — e. g. , ace point in preference 
to deuce point, and so on ; because, if he hits you, it crowds his game, by 
compelling him to play on his low points (compare Hint la). 



4^8 BACKGAMMON. 

12. Avoid carrying many men on to the low points in your own tables, 
as these men are out of play and the board is left open for your ad« 
versary. 

13. In carrying the men home, carry the most distant man to your 
adversary's bar point, next to the six point in your outer table, and last- 
ly to your six point. By following this rule, as nearly as the throws ad- 
mit, you will carry the men home in the fewest number of throws. When 
all are home but two, and you can play one on to an unoccupied point in 
your home table, you should do so if you thus put it within the power of 
a high throw to save a gammon. 

14. When your adversary is bearing his men, and you have two men 
on a low point in his table, and several men in the outer table, it is ad- 
visable to leave a blot in his table, because it prevents his bearing his men 
to the greatest advantage, and gives you the chance of hitting him if he 
leaves a blot. But if, on calculation, you find that you can probably save 
the gammon by bringing both your men out of his inner table, do not 
wait for a blot. 

To make this calculation, ascertain in how many throws you can bring 
all your men home and bear one (a throw averaging eight points), and 
in how many throws he can bear all his men (on the cissumption that he 
will bear two men at each throw). Doublets need not be considered, as 
this chance is equal for both players. 

RUSSIAN BACKGAMMON. 

Russian Backgammon is played with the same implements as Back- 
gammon. 

No men are placed on the board at starting, but both white and black 
men are entered in the same table, and the march of both colors is in the 
same direction, viz. : from the inner table on which they are entered, 
through the outer tables to the home table. 

A player is not obliged to enter all his men before he plays any, and he 
can take up blots though some of his men have not been entered. But 
while a player has a man up he must enter it before entering any other, 
or playing any of those already entered. 

A player who throws doublets has to play (enter is included in the word 
play), not only the doublets thrown, but also the corresponding ones on 
the opposite faces of the dice. Thus : if he throws sixes, he must first 
play four sixes and then four aces, and, in addition, he has another 
throw. If he again throws doublets, he plays according to the above 
rule, and throws again, and so on. This privilege is generally restricted 



BA CKGA MM ON. 429 

by not allowing double doublets nor another throw to a player the first 
time he throws doublets in a game. The privilege is also sometimes ex- 
tended, by allowing the caster of deuce, ace, to choose any doublets he 
likes on opposite faces of the dice, and to throw again. The restriction 
with regard to first doublets does not apply to deuce, ace, and this throw 
does not count as doublets, and does not remove the restriction with re- 
gard to first doublets. 

The caster must be able to play all the doublets thrown before playing 
the corresponding ones. If he cannot play the whole throw he is not 
allowed to take the corresponding doublets, and he loses his right to an- 
other throw if he cannot complete his throw. 

It is sometimes agreed, if a player cannot complete his throw, or play 
any part of it (whether of doublets or not), that his adversary shall play 
the remainder of it with his own men, playing only one at a time. But 
if in so doing the adversary leaves a blot which opens a point on which 
the caster can play, the caster comes in again and continues his throw by 
taking up the blot. If then the caster can complete his throw, and has 
thrown doublets or deuce, ace, he throws again ; but, if he cannot com- 
plete it, or if his adversary completes it, he does not throw again. If 
neither player can play any part of or complete a throw, the remainder 
of it is lost, and in the case of doublets or deuce, ace, the caster does not 
throw again. Owing to the complicated nature of this arrangement, 
many players prefer to omit the continuation of play by the opponent as 
above described. In other respects the game is similar to ordinary Back- 
gammon. 

The chief object of the player who has his men in advance is to hold as 
many successive points as possible, to prevent his adversary from hitting 
or passing the forward men. 

LAWS OF BACKGAMMON. 

FURNISHING THE BOARD. 

1. If a player places his men wrongly, the adversary, before he throw 
A die, may require the board to be properly furnished. 

2. If a player does not place all his men before he th >ws a die, h« 
cannot place those he has omitted.* 

THROWING. 

3. The dice must be thrown in one of the tables. If a die jumps from 

♦ It is a disadvantage to play with too few men. 



430 PIQUET. 

one tahle to the other, or off the board, or on to the bar or frame, th« 
throw is null and void, and the caster throws again. 

4. If one die rests on the top of the other, or tilts against the other, 01 
against a man, or against the bar or frame, the throw is null and void, 
and the caster throws again. 

5. If a die is touched wliile rolling or spinning on the board, the player 
not in fault may name the number that shall be played for that die. 

6. If a die, even when at rest, is touched before the caster has called 
his throw, and the throw is disputed, the player not in fault may name 
the number that shall be played for that die. 

7. The caster must abide by his call if the dice are subsequently 
touched. 

PLAYING. 

8. If the caster touches one of his own men he must play it, unless, 
prior to touching it, he intimates his intention of adjusting it. If an 
adverse man, or a man that cannot be played is touched, there is no 
penalty. 

9. A man is not played until it is placed on a point and quitted. 

10. The caster must play the whole throw if he can ; in bearmg, if a 
man is played, and another is then borne from the highest occupied point, 
the highest number thrown is deemed to be borne. 

11. If a wrong number of points is played, the adversary may require 
the right number to be played, but he must do so before making his 
next throw. 

BEARING. 

12. If a man is up and others are borne before the one up is entered, 
die men so borne must be entered again, as v/ell as the man taken up. 



PIQUET. 

Piquet is by far the most interesting of all two-handed games. 

For playing Piquet the pack must be prepared for the game by discarding 
all the twos, threes, fours, fives, and sixes. The remaining thirty-two 
cards possess the same relative value as at Whist. A hundred and one 
points constitute game. Sometimes 300 points are played, but loi is the 
regulation French game. These points are marked with cards, thus — 
the six and three of any suit to denote the units, with the six and three 
of another suit for the tens. These are laid over each other to denote 
the state of the game. 



PIQUET. 431 



TERMS USED IN THE GAME. 

Talon, or Stock. — The eight remaining cards, after twelve are dealt 
CO each person. 

Repique, is when one of the players counts thirty points in hand be- 
fore his adversary has or can count one ; when, instead of reckoning 
thirty, he reckons ninety, and counts above ninety as many points as he 
could above thirty. 

Pique, is when the elder hand counts thirty in hand or play before 
the adversary counts one ; in which case, instead of thirty, the hand 
reckons for sixty ; to which are added as many points as may be reckoned 
above thirty. 

Capot, when either party makes every trick, which counts for forty 
points. 

Cards, the majority of the tricks, reckoned for ten points. 

Carte Blanche. — Not having a picture card in hand, reckoned for 
ten points, and takes place of everything else. 

Quatorze, or Fours. — The four aces, kings, queens, knaves, or tens. 
Each quatorze reckons for fourteen points. 

Threes of Aces, etc., down to tens, reckon for three points. 

Point. — The greatest number of pips on cards of the same suit, reck- 
oned thus : the ace for eleven, the court cards for ten, nines for nine, etc., 
and count for as many points as cards. 

Tierce, or Three of a Sequence. — Three successive cards of the 
same suit for three points. There are six kinds of tierces, viz., ace, king, 
queen, called a tierce-major, down to nine, eight, seven, a tierce-minor. 

Quart, or Four of a Sequence.— Four successive cards of the 
same suit reckoned for four points. There are five kinds of quarts — ace, 
king, queen, knave, called quart-major, down to ten, nine, eight, seven, 
a quart-minor. 

Quint, or Five of a Sequence. — Five successive cards of the same 
suit, reckoned for fifteen points. There are four kinds of quints — ace, 
king, queen, knave, ten, called quint-major, down to knave, ten,* nine, 
eight, seven, a quint-minor. 

Sixi&ME, OR Six of a Sequence. — Six successive cards of the same 
suit, and reckoned for sixteen points. There are three kinds of sixiemes 
— ace, king, queen, knave, ten, nine, a sixieme-major, down to queen, 
knave, ten, nine, eight, seven, a sixieme-minor. 

Septieme, or Seven of a Sequence. — Seven successive cards of a 
suit, and counts for seventeen points. There are two sorts, viz., from the 



432 PIQUET. 

ace to the eight inclusive, a septieme-major, and from the king to th^ 
seven inclusive, a septieme-minor. 

HuiTiEME, OR Eight of a Sequence.— Eight successive cards of the 
same suit, and reckons for eighteen points. 

METHOD OF PLAYING PIQUET. 

On commencing the game, the players cut for deal, and he who cuts 
the lowest card is dealer. The deal is made by giving two cards alter- 
nately until each player has twelve. The remaining eight cards are placed 
on the table. The non-dealer has considerable advantage, from being 
elder hand. 

The players having examined their hands, the elder hand takes the five 
cards which seem the least necessary for his advantage, and, laying them 
aside, takes as many from the talon or heap that is left ; and the younger 
hand lays out three, and takes in the last three of the talon. 

When you have carte blanche, you must let your adversary discard, 
and, when he is going to take his share from the talon ^ you must, before 
he has touched it, show your twelve cards, and your adversary must not 
touch the cards he has discarded. 

In discarding, skilful players endeavor to gain the cards, and to hav^ 
the point, which most commonly engages them to keep in that suit of 
which they have the most cards, or that which is their strongest suit ; for 
it is convenient to prefer, sometimes, forty-one in one suit to forty- four in 
another in which a quint is not made ; sometimes, even having a quint, 
it is more advantageous to hold the forty-one, where, if one card only is 
taken, it may make it a quint-major, gain the point, or the cards, which 
couM not have been done by holding the forty-four, at least without an 
extraordinary take-in. 

Endeavor, in laying out, to get a quatorze, that is, four aces, kings, 
queens, knaves, or tens, each of which reckons for fourteen. If you have 
four aces, you may reckon also any inferior quatorze^ as of tens, and 
your adversary cannot reckon four kings, though he should hold them, the 
stronger annulling the weaker. In like manner, you can count three aces, 
and inferior threes down to tens, while your adversary is not entitled to 
count his three kings, etc. Quatorze kings, if neither player has four 
aces, annul queens, and queens annul knaves in the adversary's hand, by 
the same rule. 

The same is to be observed in regard to the huiti^mes, septilmes, six- 
times, quints, quarts, and tierces, to which the player must have regard 
in his discarding, so that what he takes in may make for him. 

The point being selected, the eldest hand declares what it is, and asks 



PIQUET. 433 

If it is good : if his adversary has not so many, he answers, it is good ; if 
he has just as many, he answers, // is equal ; and if he has more, he an- 
swers, it is not good; he who has the best, counts as many for it as he has 
cards which compose it, and whoever has the point counts it first, whether 
he is eldest or youngest ; but if the points are equal, neither can count ; 
it is the same when the two players have equal tierces, quarts, quints, 
etc. 

The points, the tierces, quarts, quints, etc. , are to be shown on the 
table, that their value may be seen and reckoned ; but you are not obliged 
to show quatorzes, or threes of aces, kings, etc. 

After each has examined his game, and the eldest, by the questions he 
asks, sees everything that is good in his hand, he begins to reckon. The 
carte blanche is first reckoned, then the point, then the sequences, and, 
lastly, the quatorzes, or threes of aces, kings, etc. ; after which he begins 
to play his cards, for each of which he counts one, except it is a nine, 'or 
an inferior one. 

After the elder hand has led his first card, the younger shows his point, 
if it is good, also the sequences, quatorzes, or threes of aces, kings, etc., 
or cai te blanche^ if he has it ; and, having reckoned them all together, he 
takes the first trick if he can with the same suit, and counts one for it ; 
if he cannot, the other turns the trick, and continues ; and when the 
younger hand can take the trick, he may lead which suit he pleases. 

To play the cards well, you must know the strength of your game ; that 
is, by your hand you should know what your opponent has discarded, 
and what he retains. To do this, be particularly attentive to what he 
shows and reckons. 

As there are no trumps at Piquet, the highest card of the suit led wins 
the trick. 

If the elder hand has neither point nor anything else to reckon, he be- 
gins to count from the card he plays, which he continues till his adver^ 
sary wins a trick, who then leads in his turn. He who wins the last trick 
counts two. When the tricks are equal, neither party counts for them. 

There are three chances in this game, viz., the repique, pique, and 
capot, all of which may be made in one deal. Thus, the eldest hand 
having the point, four tierce-majors, four aces, four kings, and four 
queens, he will make thirteen points, by playing the cards, and forty foi 
the capot — which are reckoned in this way ; first — 



434 PIQUET. 

Points 

Point 3 

Four tierce-majors 12 

Four aces 14 

Four kings 14 

Four queens 14 

Byplay 13 

Capot 40 

Total , no 

To pique your antagonist, you must be the elder hand ; for, if you are 
the younger hand, your adversary will reckon one for the first card he 
plays ; and then your having counted twenty-nine in hand, even if you 
win the fkst trick, will not authorize you to count more than thirty. 

LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF PIQUET. 

1. Two cards at least must be cut. 

2. If a card be faced, and it happen to be discovered, either in the 
dealing or in the stock, there must be a new deal, unless it be the bottom 
card. 

3. If the dealer turn up a card belonging to the elder hand, it is in the 
option of the latter to have a new deal. 

4. If the dealer deal a card too few, it is in the option of the elder hand 
to have a new deal ; but if he stands the deal, he must leave three cards 
for the younger hand. 

5. If the elder or younger hand play with thirteen cards, he counts 
nothing. 

6. No penalty attends playing with eleven cards, or fewer. 

7. Should either of the players have thirteen cards dealt, it is at the op- 
tion of the elder hand to stand the deal or not ; and if he choose to stand 
then the person having thirteen is \o discard one more than he takes in ; 
but should either party have above thirteen cards, then a new deal must 
take place. 

8. The elder hand must lay out at least one card. 

9. If the elder hand take in one of the three cards which belong to the 
younger hand, he loses the game. 

10. If the elder hand, in taking his five cards, happen to turn up a card 
belonging to the younger hand, he reckons nothing that deal. 

11. If the elder hand touch the stock after he has discarded, ha cannot 
alter his discard. 



PIQUET. 435 

12. If the younger hand take hi five cards, he loses the game, unless 
the elder hand has two left. 

13. If the elder hand leave a card, and after he has taken in, happen to 
put to his discard the four cards taken in, they must remain with his dis- 
card, and he must play with only eight cards. 

14. If the younger hand leave a card or cards, and mix it or them with 
his discard before he has shown it to the elder hand, who is first to telJ 
him what he will play, the elder hand is entitled to see his whole discard, 

15. If the younger hand leave a card or cards, and does not see them, 
nor mixes them to his discard, the elder hand has no right to see them ; 
but then they must remain separate whilst the cards are playing, and the 
younger hand cannot look at them. 

16. If the younger hand leave a card or cards and looks at them, the 
elder hand is entitled to see them, first declaring what suit he will lead. 

17. No player can discard twice, and after he has touched the stock, he 
is not allowed to take any of his discard back. 

18. When the elder hand does not take all his cards, he must specify 
what number he takes or leaves. 

19. Carte blanche counts first, and consequently saves piques and re- 
piques. It also piques and repiques the adversary in the same manner as 
if those points were reckoned in any other way. 

20. Carte blanche need not be shown till the adversary has first dis- 
carded ; only the elder hand must bid the younger hand to discard for 
carte blanche ; which, after he has done, show your blanche by counting 
the cards down one after another. 

21. The player who, at the commencement, does not reckon or show 
carte blanche, his point, or any sequence, etc., is not to count them after- 
ward. 

22. In the first place, call your point ; and if you have two points, if 
you design to reckon the highest, you are to call that first, and are to 
abide by your first call. 

23. If the elder hand call a point, and do not show it, it cannot be 
reckoned ; and the younger hand may show and reckon his point. 

24. The tierces, quarts, quints, etc., must next be called, and in case 
you desig^n to reckon them, call the highest. 

25. You are to call a quatorze preferably to three aces, etc., if you 
design to reckon them. 

26. If you call a tierce, having a quart in your hand, you must abide 
by your first call. 

27. If the eld^r or younger hand reckon what he have not, he counts 
nothing. 



436 



PIQUET. 



28. If the elder hand call forty-one for his point, which happens to be 
a quart-major, and it is allowed to be good, and only reckons four for it, 
and plays away, he is not entitled to count more. 

29. If the elder hand show a point, or a quart or tierce, and asks if 
they are good, and afterward forgets to reckon any of them, it bars the 
younger hand from reckoning any of equal value. 

30. Whoever calls his game wrong, and does not correct himself before 
he plays, cannot reckon anything that game ; but the adversary reckons 
all he has good in his own game. 

31. The player who looks at any card belonging to the stock is liable 
to have a suit called. 

32. Any card that has touched the board is deemed to be played, unless 
in case of a revoke. 

2^. If any player name a suit, and then plays a different one, the an- 
tagonist may call a suit. 

34. Whoever deals twice together, and discovers it previous to seeing 
his cards, may insist upon his adversary dealing, although the latter may 
have looked at his cards. 

35. Should the pack be found erroneous in any deal, that deal is void ; 
but the preceding deals are valid. 

The French have a very simple method of counting the game by means 
of a bit of cardboard, or an old playing-card, which they cut in the fol- 
Jowing form. 



Tens. 




Five, 




JL>LA->w> 



Fifty. 



One, two, 

three, 
and four. 



The dark lines represent where the card is cut ; the dotted lines where 
bent. In this way the score can be kept perfectly without a pencil. 



ADVICE TO LEARNERS. 

It should be always remembered, that the factor ten, for the most tricks, 
is a constant one, and to try and make seven tricks must invariably bq 
borne in mind. 



SOLITAIRES. 437 

The hand that deals should always be on its guard against capot, or 
giving the hand taking the 5 cards the chance of making all the tricks, 
which would score 40 points. To prevent this, it is better to break up 
even a good suit, so as to protect a king and one card, or to even keep a 
single card in hopes of obtaining a king in the three cards which are 
taken, is to preserve a queen and one card. If a third card of the suit 
were obtained, the queen would be safe. The younger hand is then one 
of some risk, and plays on the defensive. 

THREE-HANDED PIQUET. 

Every player is, in three-handed Piquet, for himself. Three cards are 
dealt twice around to each player, which makes six cards, then four to 
each, which makes ten, thirty in all, and the talon of two cards is as in 
ordinary Piquet placed face downward on the table. It is the dealer who 
has the right to these two cards. He may take them up and exchange 
them for two in his hand, but does not expose his discard, or he may de- 
cline taking the talon. The second or third player may act precisely as 
the first player. If no one takes the cards, the play is the same. When 
the exchanges have or have not been made up to the dealer, the game be- 
gins. The elder hand has the advantage of drawing two cards, and of 
leading. The younger hand, when possible, ought to try and secure one 
point of some kind, in order to prevent the opponent making a sixty or a 
ninety. 

To discard properly, requires much judgment. Sometimes when a hand 
is full of picture cards, it is wise, since a suit cannot be established, or 
a sequence, to try and get threes or fours, and so secure a point. 

Sequences are the same as in ordinary Piquet, and so are suits, and fours. 
There is, however, this marked difference. When a first player can count 
on his cards twenty without playing, he scores ninety. If he has to play 
to score twenty, he counts sixty. The most tricks count ten, as in Piquet. 
Capots in the three-handed game are more common than in regular Piquet, 
but the count of 40 is not imposed on both players, each one losing 20 points. 



SOLITAIRES. 

Solitaires are sometimes called games of Patience. In some a cer- 
tain amount of personal skill is required, but in many of them the mak- 
ing of a solitaire depends on chance alone. There are solitaires quite as 
intricate as is the solution of a problem. 



438 



SOLJTAJRESL 



NIDGI NOVGOROD. 

This Solitaire is sometimes called the Russian Solitaire. It is played 
•vith one full pack. No skill is required. It depends entirely on the posi- 
tion of the cards. 

Two cards are taken of the same value, as two aces or two deuces. 
One ace is placed on top of the pack, the other at the bottom of the pack. 
The first card is placed on the table, and then the Solitaire commences. 
The object of the game is to get rid of all the cards, leaving on the table 
only the iirst and the last card. 

Suppose you began with the ace of spades. The second card is a club, 
the third a diamond, the fourth a spade. The first card being a spade, 
and the fourth in the series of four another spade, the two intermediate 
cards are thrown out. It is a solitaire depending on a series of four 
cards. In addition to the first and fourth card in the series being of the 
same suit, giving you the privilege to throw out the second and third 
card, if the first and fourth cards pair, the second and third of the series 
of four are thrown out. It often happens that from thus having two 
cards which pair, then two cards which are far apart, you approach them 
in the series of four, and being of the same suit, get the discards. 

EXAMPLES. 







4- 4* 




♦ 




S? 


^ 




^ 








S? 






^ 4- 




4 




^ 



E«ginniiig with the ace of hearts, the five of clubs, two of spades, aad 
three of hearts, the second and third cards are thrown out because the 
first and fourth cards are hearts. 







4. 4* 




>- 







9 




4* 














4- 4- 




♦ 








The second and third cards remain, because the ace of hearts and 
two of diamonds are not of the same sui^^ 



SOLITAIRES. 



439 







4. 4* 




■ ♦ 









♦ 









* 


V 




4« 












♦ 















4. 4. 




♦ 









♦ 









* 



The deuce of diamonds and the deuce of clubs are the first and fourth 
of a series, then the three of spades and five of diamonds are thrown out, 
and the five of clubs, the first of a series of four, finding the deuce of 
clubs the fourth of the series of the same suit, the two deuces of spades 
and diamonds are thrown out. 

THE HOPEFUL. 

Played with a full pack. 

You make packets of three from the top of the pack. The bottom 
card of the packet, if it be a king or an ace, makes the foundation. 

You build on these from the packets of three. A queen goes on a 
king, a two on an ace. If you have a king, and a queen of spades comes 
at the bottom of the packet, you put it on. Under that queen in the 
packet there may be a knave of spades, and under that a ten of spades — 
they can all be put on. When the solitaire is ended, you have eight piles 
of the suits, four from king to eight, and four from ace to seven. 



PISTOLS AND COFFEE FOR TWO. 

This is not only a solitaire, but a game at two, requiring quickness of 
mind and motion. 

It is played with two full packs. The patterns on the back of the 
cards make no difference. 

Each player holds a pack, not seeing the cards, and both begin at the 
same moment. 

Each player makes eight piles, taking one card at a time. As the 
aces come out they are placed on the table in a straight line, exactly in« 
termediate between the two players. 

The eight aces are the foundation cards, and you build up on any of 
these in suits, the king coming after the ace, the deuce concluding the 
suit. 

The game becomes exciting toward the close, for an opponent can 
hold back a card, having more than one packet to add to, and so keep 
the game in his hands, but is obliged to play the card sometime or other. 

The one who gets rid of his last card first, wins the game. 



440 



SOLITAIRES. 



EXCELSIOR PATIENCE. 

Played with a full pack. 

Deal twelve cards, as shown in the diagram, beginning on the left. 
Place the top comer card, then the four side cards, lastly the lower corner 
card ; repeat this process on the right hand, beginning with the top 

















*** 

•J. 4. 
4. 4. 



9 ^ 












^ ^ 


^ 














^u^ 












♦ ♦ 



TP ^ TT 4* 





comer and leaving space in the centre for the foundation cards. These 
will consist of four aces and four kings of different suits. Families are 
built up on the aces ascending in sequence to kings, and the kings de- 
scending in sequence to 'aces. 

Having dealt the first round of twelve cards, then deal out the entire 



SOLITAIRES, 441 

pack in successive rounds, covering the first one ; but in dealing eacb 
several round the following method must be strictly observed : 

The eight foundation cards as they appear in the deal (whether they 
fall on the comer or on the side packets) are to be at once played in the 
space reserved for them, and on these may be played any suitable cards 
which in dealing fall on either of the four corner packets ; but when a 
card (otherwise suitable) falls on either of the side packets, it may not be 
played unless the foundation to which it belongs happens to be the one 
immediately adjoining the side packet on which that card fell in dealing. 

Note. — Whenever, in dealing, a card is withdrawn to place on one of 
the foundations, the next card in the pack is placed in its stead. 

RULES. 

1. After the deal is completed, the uppermost card of each packet is 
available, and may be placed on any of the foundations, the card under- 
neath being released as usual by the removal of the one that covered it. 

2. Each foundation must follow suit. 

3. Marriages must be formed in suit. 

After the entire deal is completed these restrictions cease. All suit- 
able cards may now be played, subject to Rule i, and marriages, both in 
ascending and descending lines, may be made with cards on the surface 
of the twelve packets ; great care must, however, be taken in making 
these marriages, lest in releasing one card you block another that is 
equally required. The contents of each packet should be carefully exam- 
ined, and only those marriages made which release the greatest number 
of suitable cards. 

Note. — The sequences thus made may be reversed, if required, viz. : 
If one of the packets contained a sequence, beginning with deuce and 
ascending to eight (this being, of course, the top card), and one of the 
other packets had at the top a nine of the same suit, the eight might be 
placed on the nine, the rest of the sequence following, till the deuce be- 
came the top (or available) card. 

When all possible combinations have been made, and further progress 
is impossible, the twelve packets may be taken up in order, beginning on 
the left, redcalt, and played exactly as before. If necessary, there may 
be two redeals. 

The object, as in all games of Solitaire, is, of course, to bring th« cards 
In the different packets into order. 

25 



44^ SOLITAIRES. 



THE OLD PATIENCE. 

This is one of the oldest, if not the oldest game of Patience. As it 
is played usually it is almost useless to attempt to win, as one can suc- 
ceed about once in three hundred times. Kven in the original way 
once in one hundred is about the average number of successes. Dr. 
Pole has modified the game so that there is a reasonable chance of 
winning. 

One by one the cards are dealt until five have been laid side by side. 
As the aces appear they are placed below these five cards. The object 
of the game is to build up to kings on the aces, regardless of suits. 
The top card of each depot is always available. In dealing the cards 
the player can put them on any heap he elects, but he should not cover 
a card with another of higher rank unless he is forced to. If a 
higher one is placed over a lower, the use of all cards beneath it is 
prevented until the "higher card is removed. 

The player has the privilege of looking over the contents of each of 
the five depots, and, when possible, should avoid blocking any one 
which contains more than one card of the same rank. When possible, 
if obliged to place a higher card over a lower, choose the depot in 
which are the fewest cards. The chances in this game are three to 
one. Originally four depots only were used. 

NAPOLEON. 

This game of Patience is so named because it is said to have been 
the favorite game of the great French emperor. 

The game is played with two packs of fifty-two cards. They are 
shuffled thoroughly, and then the cards are placed in four rows of ten 
each and face upward. 

The object of Napoleon is to form ascending squares in suit. The 
game starts by the taking of any ace or aces in the fourth row. These 
are placed beneath the last row, side by side, for foundation cards. 
After this place, on the aces, cards in suit of ascending sequences, as 
they appear at the top of the stack, which is dealt face downward; or 
from the waste heap, which is to the right of the player, face upward; 
or from the four rows. As the aces appear they are placed for founda- 
tion cards. On the depots of the fourth row or on unguarded cards 
of the other rows descending sequences are built. 

If the game is over the eight kings appear at the top of the eight 
foundations. The chances are about one to five in favor of the player. 



DRA UGHTS. 



443 



DRAUGHTS, 

OR CHECKERS. 

THE IMPLEMENTS. 

A draught-board and draughts-men are required. 

The boards which is square, is generally made of leather or wood. 

The surface of the board is divided into sixty-four squares of equa\ 
size, eight on each of the four sides. The squares are colored alternately 
white and black, or white and red. 

The men^ which are flat at the top and bottom and circular at the cir- 
cumference, are generally made of ivory or wood. 

The men are twenty-four in number. Of these, twelve (which belong 
to one player) are colored black or red ; and twelve (which belong to the 
Other player) are colored white. 

The men and kings are called pieces. 

Draughts is played by two persons, who occupy positions opposite to 
each other, where the words "Black " and *' White " occur it Diagram i. 

DIAGRAM I. 

WHITE. 




444 



DRA UGHTS. 



The board is usually placed with a white square in the right-hand 
corner, and the men on the black squares, as in Diagram I. Some play- 
ers place the men on the white squares, when there should be a black 
corner to the right hand. It is immaterial which method is employed, so 
long as there is no man in a right-hand corner square, or, as it is tech- 
nically termed, so long as there is a double corner to the right. 

The players having determined which shall have the black men and 
which the white (see Law 14), the game is opened by the player 
who has the black men moving one of his men in the manner which will 
be presently explained. His adversary then moves a man, and so on al- 
ternatively. The game thus proceeds until one of the players (it being 
his turn to move) has all his pieces so blocked that he cannot move any, 
or until all his pieces are captured (see Capturing). The player who is 
blocked, or who has no piece left on the board, loses the game. 

If neither player can obtain sufficient advantage in force or position to 
enable him to win, the game is drawn. When one player appears 
stronger than the other in force or position, he may be required to win in 
forty of his own moves ; if he fails, the game is drawn. 

DIAGRAM II. 

WHITE. 




BLACK. 

MOVING. 
A move is made by pushing a man from the square on which he stands 



DRA UGHTS. 445 

to an adjacent unoccupied square of the same color, right or left. The 
move is always /o7'ward — t. e. , when Black moves, the man approaches 
the word "White" (see A, Diagram 2), and when White moves, the 
man approaches the word " Black." 

CAPTURING. 

When a man meets an opponent's man, no further move can be made 
in that direction, unless there is a vacant square immediately beyond one 
of the men, in which case he is said to be unguarded. If a mail that 
meets another is unguarded himself on the move, or if the man that is 
met is or becomes unguarded after the next move, the player must cap- 
ture the adverse man, which he does by placing his man on the vacant 
square immediately beyond (see B, Diagram 2, it being Black's turn to 
move), and removing the adverse man from the board. If two or more 
men are so placed that one vacant square intervenes between each, in a 
direction that the capturing man can move, he must take all that are en 
prise at the same time (see C, Diagram 2, Black to move). 

HUFFING. 

If a player neglects tol:apture when able, the adversary has the option 
{a) of allowing the move to stand ; {b) of requiring the player who moved 
without capturing to replace the man moved, and to take the man or men 
en prise ; or (r) of huffing^ which is done thus : The last move stands 
good, and the man that could have captured is removed from the board 
as a penalty for not taking. 

A player who huffs also makes a moT^e. Huffing is not a move, or, in 
technical terms, " huff and move go together." The huff must be made 
before the move, or the right of huffing is lost ; but if the player at his 
next move again neglects to capture, his adversary has the same options 
as before. 

If a player can capture on more than one square, he may elect which 
way he will take ; if able to capture one man on one square, and more 
than one on another, he is not obhged to take the larger number. But, 
if he elects to capture the larger number, he must take all of that lot which 
are en prise. Should he overlook any, he is liable to be huffed, or may 
be compelled to take the remainder. Thus, if in C, Diagram 2, Black 
only takes two men, those two are removed from the board (the capture 
being so far completed), and Black may be huffed, or may be compelled 
to capture the third man, or the move may be allowed to stand. 



446 DRA UGHTS. 



KINGS. 

When a man belonging to either player reaches one of the squares far- 
thest from his own end of the board, whether by moving or capturing, he 
becomes a king. Thus, in Diagram 2, C, if the black man captures the 
three white men he becomes a king. 

To distinguish kings from men the kings are crowned — /. e, , the adver- 
sary places another man of the same color on the one that has just become 
a king. 

A king moves and captures in precisely the same way as a man, with 
the additional privilege that he can do so either forward or backward. 
Consequently, if after one capture he meets an unguarded piece, he con- 
tinues the capture in any direction. 

An unguarded king can also be captured by a piece, just as in the case 
of a man. 

A king is liable to be huffed for not capturing, or the adversary may 
allow the move to stand, or may compel the king to take, just as in the 
case of a man. 

When a man becomes a king his move is finished— ?'. ^., if there is a 
man or king en prise of the new-made king, it cannot be captured until 
the adversary has made his next move. This rule does not apply to a 
king already made when he captures, but only to a man that becomes a 
king on the move. 

HINTS. 

1. The game of Draughts has been so thoroughly analyzed that the 
answer to every move is known by all good players. In order to play 
well, the published openings in more extended works on Draughts must 
be studied. 

2. For beginners it may be observed that it is better, as a rule, to move 
into the middle of the board than to the sides, as a man at the siile can 
only move in one direction, and, consequently, half his power is lost. 

3. It is advisable to make a king as early in the game as possible. 

4. As soon as a player has an advantage in force, he should make as 
many exchanges as possible. 

5. When the force of each player is equal, it is generally an advantage 
to have the move^ but not always. 

To have the move does not mean to be next to move, but to occupy 
such a position as to be able to secure the last move. Thus : place a 
black and a white man, as in Diagram 3, on the column to the extreme 
left of the board, and remove from the board the other pieces, which illus* 



DRA UGHTS. 



M7 



trate another position. Black has to play. White has the move, ano 
must win. But had White to play, Black would have the move, and must 
win. Again : remove the two men from the column to the left, and re- 
place (as in Diagram 3) the two men and two kings previously removed. 
Black to play. Black has the move, and wins. He first moves his man. 
White's best reply is to play the white king to the square just vacated by 
Black's man. Black then moves his man to the right, putting him en 
prise of White's man, who captures. Black then moves his king forward 

DIAGRAM III. 

WHITE. 




BLACK. 



to the right. White's only move now is his king. Black captures, and 
blocks White's remaining man, and, as White has no move, Black wins. 
To ascertain which player has the move, add together all the pieces on 
alternate columns. If their sum is odd, the next player has the move ; 
if their sum is even, the last player has the move. For example : in the 
first case given in Diagram 3, there are two men on one column (the 
others it will be remembered are to be removed from the board). Their 
sum is even, consequently the last player has the move. In the second 
case given in Diagram 3 (remove the two men on the left column, and 
replace the other two men and two kings), there is only one man on th« 



448 DRAUGHTS, 

alternate columns, commencing with a black square from Black's end of 
the board. Consequently, one being an odd number, Black, who is the 
next player, has the move. A similar result is arrived at, if the men and 
kings on the columns commencing with a white square are added together. 

At the beginning of a game the second player has the move, but it is of 
no use to him at this stage. 

An exchange of one man for one man, or of one king for one king, 
changes the move. Consequently, the player who has the move should 
avoid exchanging, unless he can force a second exchange, and so keep 
the move. 

POLISH DRAUGHTS. 

The original game of Polish Draughts was played on a board oi one hun^ 
dred squares with forty men ; but now an ordinary draught-board and 
men are commonly used. 

The men move like the men at Draughts, but capture like kings at 
Draughts — i. e.^ either forward or backward. A man reaching one of tha 
squares farthest from his own end of the board, is crowned and becomes 
a queen, A queen moves like a bishop at chess — i. e., along any of the 
four diagonals she guards, and can remain on any unoccupied square of 
that diagonal, provided the intermediate squares are vacant. If there is 
an unguarded piece on one of the diagonals within a queen's range — i. e.^ 
no guarded piece intervening, she must capture, and may remain on any 
unoccupied square of that diagonal beyond the piece captured, provided 
the intermediate squares are vacant. But if there is another unguarded 
piece on the board, the capturing queen is bound to choose, if possible, 
the square of the diagonal from which another capture can be made. 
Also, if by the uncovering of a square during the captures another piece 
becomes unguarded, it is similarly liable to be captured on the move. In 
consequence of the intricacy of some of these moves it is imperative to 
remove from the board every piece as it is taken. 

If a man in capturing reaches a crowning square, and there is anothei 
piece en prise of a man's move, the move is not finished as at Draughts, 
and passing the crowning square in capturing does not entitle the man 
moved to be made a queen. 

If a player is able to capture in more than one direction, he is bound 
to choose the capture which comprises the greatest number of pieces. 
Thus, three men must be taken in preference to two queens ; if the num- 
bers are equal the player may take which set he chooses. 

If a player neglects to capture, or does not capture all the pieces he 
can, or does not choose the move by which he can capture the greatest 



DRA UGHTS. 449 

number, the adversary may huff, or may compel the player to complete 
the capture, or may allow the move to stand. 

When two pieces of one color are played on a diagonal with one un- 
occupied square between them to which the adversary can move, the po- 
sition is called a lunette. If a lunette is entered, one of the adversary's 
pieces must be captured. It is often laid as a snare by a skilful player ; 
therefore, before entering a lunette it is well to consider what will be the 
position after the capture. 

A single queen against three queens can draw. A player with a queen 
and a man against three queens should sacrifice the man, as the game at 
this point is more easily defended with the queen alone. 

LAWS OF DRAUGHTS. 

CHOICE OF MEN AND FIRST MOVE. 

1. The choice of color for the first game is determined by lot. After 
this, if a series of games is played, the players take the white and black 
men alternately. 

2. The player who has the black men has the first move, whether the 
previous game was won or drawn. 

TOUCH AND MOVE. 

3. If a player whose turn it is to play touches a piece he must move it, 
unless, prior to touching it, he intimates his intention of adjusting it. If 
a piece that cannot be moved is touched, there is no penalty. 

MOVING. 

4. A move or a capture is completed as soon as the hand is withdravrn 
from the piece played to another square. 

5. If a piece is moved over the angle of the square on which it is 
stationed, the adversary may require the move to be completed in that 
direction. 

6. If a player makes a false or illeg:al move, the adversary may require 
the piece improperly moved to make its proper move in either direction 
he pleases, or he may allow the false move to stand. If the piece cannot 
be legally moved there is no penalty beyond the option of allowing the 
false move to stand. 

7. If a player captures one of his own pieces, the adversary may have 
it replaced or not at his option. 

8. If more than one piece can be captured at one move, and the player 



450 J^RA UGHTS. 

removes his hand from the capturing piece while any of the pieces en 
prise are untaken, the move is completed, and the player is liable to 
Law II. 

9. When a player pushes a man to king, his adversary is bound ta 
crown. 

10. Each player is obliged to move within a specified time, which must 
be agreed on before play commences. A player who does not move with- 
in the specified time loses the game. 

Example. — Suppose five minutes and one minute are agreed ©n, and 
when there is only one way of taking one or more pieces, or only one 
move on the board, one minute and one minute. At the expiration of 
five minutes in the first case, and of one minute in the second, time is 
called, and the move must be made in one minute more. 

HUFFING. 

11. If a player neglects to capture when able, the adversary may {a) 
allow the move to stand good ; or, {b) compel the capture ; or, {c) may 
huff the piece that could have captured. 

12. If a player entitled to huff touches the adverse piece that could have 
captured, he must huff. If he moves without huffing, he cannot huff 
afterward ; but if the adversary again neglects to capture, the player has 
again the options in Law 11. 

COUNTING THE MOVES AND ODDS. 

13. A player who has a superiority of force may be required to win in 
forty of his own moves (2*. e.^ forty by each player), computed from the 
move on which notice is given. If he fails to win in forty moves, the 
game is drawn. And 

14. When two kings remain against one, the player with two kings may 
be similarly required to win in twenty moves. 

15. When the odds of the draw are given, and the game can be ren- 
dered equal by repeating the same moves, the player giving the odds may 
be required to win in twenty moves. If he fails, the game is counted 
against him. 

DIRECTIONS FOR PLAYING DRAUGHTS. 

Draughts being a game of calculation, as such craves wary policy. 
The diagrams represent the board and men in their original position . 
and also the mode in which the squares are conventionally numbered foi 



DRA UGHTS. 



451 



the sake of reference.* It will be seen that the upper half of the board is 
occupied by the twelve black men, and the lower half by their antago- 
nists, the white. 

The men being placed, the game is begun by each player moving al- 
ternately one of his men, along the white diagonal on which they are first 
posted. The men can only move forward, either to the right or left, one 
square at a time, unless they have attained one of the four squares on the 
extreme line of the board, on which they become kings, and can move 
either forward or backward, but still only one square at a time. The 
men take in the direction they move, by leaping over any hostile piece or 
pieces that may be immediately contiguous, provided there be a vacant 
•white square behind them. The piece or pieces so taken are then re- 
moved from off the board, and the man taking them is placed on the 
square beyond. If several pieces, on forward diagonals, should be ex- 
posed by alternately having open squares behind them, they may all be 
taken at one capture, and the taking piece is then placed on the square 





beyond the last piece. To explain the mode of taking by pra^^ical illus- 
tration, let us begin by placing the draughts in their original position. 
You will perceive that if Black should move first he can only move one of 
the men placed on 9, 10, 11, or 12. Supposing him then to play the man 
from II to 15, and White answering this move by playing his piece from 
22 to 18, Black can take White by leaping his man from 15 to 22 and re- 
moving the captured piece off the board. Should Black not take in 
the above pesition, but move in another direction — for instance, from 12 
to 16 — he is liable to be huffed ; that is. White may remove the man with 



* Practiced players who have studied printed games, are generally so familiar 
with the numerical position of the square, that they can read and comprehend 
» series of intricate noves without even referring to the board. 



452 DRA UGHTS. 

which Black should hare taken, from the board, as a penalty for not tak* 
ing ; for, at Draughts, you have not the option of refusing to take, as at 
Chess, but must always take when you can, whatever be the consequence. 
The player who is in a position to huff his adversary has also the option 
of insisting on his taking, instead of standing the huff. When one party 
huffs the other, in preference to compelling the take, he does not replace 
the piece his adversary moved ; but simply removes the man huffed, from 
off the board, and then plays his own move. Should he, however, insist 
upon his adversary taking the piece, instead of standing the huff, then the 
pawn improperly moved must first be replaced. 

To give another example of huffing. Suppose a white man to be placed 
at 28, and three black men at 24, 15, and 6, or 24, 16, and 8, with unoc- 
cupied intervals he would capture all three men, and make a king, or be 
huffed for omitting to take them all ; and it is not uncommon with nov- 
ices to take one man, and overlook a second or third en prise {i. e.^ liable 
to be taken). 

When either of the men reaches one of the extreme squares of the 
board, he is, as already indicated, made a king, by having another piece 
put on, which is called crowning him. The king can move or take both 
forward or backward ; keeping, of course, on the white diagonals. Both 
the king and common man can take any number of pieces at once which 
may be en prise at one move, and both are equally liable to be huffed. 
For instance : if white, by reaching one of the back squares on his antag- 
onist's side, say No. 2, had gained a king, he might, upon having the 
move, and the black pieces (either kings or men) being conveniently 
posted at No. 7, 16, 24, 23, and 14, with intermediate blanks, take them 
all at one fell swoop, remaining at square 9, But such a coup could 
hardly happen in English Draughts. One of the great objects of the 
game, even at its very opening, is to push on for a king ; but it is unnec- 
essary to dwell much on the elementary part of the science, as the playing 
through one of the many games annexed, from the numbers, will do 
more in the way of teaching the rudiments of Draughts than the most 
elaborate theoretical explanation. 

The game is won by him who can first succeed in capturing or blocking 
up all his adversary's men, so that he has nothing left to move ; but when 
the pieces are so reduced that each player has but a very small degree of 
force remaining, and, being equal in numbers, neither can hope to make 
any decided impression on his antagonist, the game is relinquished as 
drawn. It is obvious that were this not the case, and both parties had 
one or two kings, the game might be prolonged day and night, with the 
same hopeless chance of natural termination, as at the first moment 0/ 



DRAUGHTS. 453 

the pieces being resolved into the position in question. It has already 
been shown that when a man reaches one of the squares on the extreme 
line of the board, he is crowned and becomes a king ; but there is another 
point relative to this, which it is necessary to understand. The man thus 
reaching one of the extreme squares, finishes the move on being made a 
king, and cannot take any piece which may be en prise. He must first 
await his antagonist's move, and should he omit to remove or fortify an 
texposed piece, it may then be taken. To exemplify this, place a white 
man on ii, and black men on 7 and 6 : white, having the move, takes 
the man, and demands that his own man should be crowned ; but he 
cannot take the man on 6 at the same move, which he could do were his 
piece a king when it made the first capture. But if the piece be left there 
after the next move, he must take it. 

In particular situations, to have the move on your side is a decisive 
advantage. This is a matter little understood by ordinary players, but 
its importance will fully appear by studying the critical situations. To 
have the move, signifies your occupying that position on the board which 
will eventually enable you to force your adversary into a confined situa- 
tion, and which, at the end of the game, secures to yourself the last move. 
It must, however, be observed, that where your men are in a confined 
state, the move is not only of no use to you, but, for that very reason, 
may occasion the loss of the game. To know in any particular situation 
whether you have the move, you must number the men and the squares, 
and if the men are even and the squares odd, or the squares even and the 
men odd, you have the move. With even men and even squares, or 
odd men and odd squares, you have not the move. This will be best ex- 
plained by an example. Look, then, at the 8th critical situation, where 
White plays first : there the adverse men are even, two to two ; but the 
White squares, being five in number, are odd. The squares may be 
thus reckoned — from 26, a White king, to 28, a Black king, are three, 
viz. : 31, 27, and 24 — the White squares between 32, a White man, and 
19, a Black man, are two, viz. : 27 and 23. You may reckon more ways 
than one, but reckon which way you will, the squares will still be found 
odd, and therefore White, so situated, has the move. When you have 
not the move, you must endeavor to procure it by giving rhan for man. 
a mode of play fully and successfully exemplified in this treatise. 

There is another mode which will, in less time than reckoning the 
squares, enable you to see who has the move. For instance, if you 
wish to know whether any one man of yours has the move of any one 
.man of your adversary's, examine the situation of both, and if you fino 
a Black square on the right angle, under his man, you have the move. 



454 DRAUGHTS. 

For example, you are to play first, and your White man is on 30, when 
your adversary's Black man is on 3. In this situation, you will find the 
right angle in a black square between 31 and 32, immediately under 3, 
and therefore you have the move. This rule \yill apply to any number 
of men, and holds true in every case. 

To play over the games in this work, number the White squares on 
your draught-board from i to 32, and remember that in the diagrams 
the Black pieces always occupy the first twelve squares. The abbrevia- 
tions are so obvious that they cannot need explanation ; as B. for Black, 
W. for White, Var. for Variation, etc. Occasionally, stars (asterisks) 
are introduced, to potnt out the move causing the loss of the game. The 
learner begins with the first game and finding the leading move to be 
II. 15 (that is, from 11 to 15), knows that Black begins the game. The 
second move 22 . 18 belongs to White, and the game is thus played out ; 
each party moving alternately. After finishing the game, the player pro- 
ceeds to examine the variations to which he is referred by the letters and 
other directions. The numerous variations on some particular games, 
and the consequent necessity each time of going through the leading 
moves up to the point at which the variation arises, will, probably, at 
first, occasion some little fatigue ; but this will soon be forgotten in the 
speedy and decided improvement found to be derived from this course of 
study. One of the minor advantages resulting from a numerous body of 
variations is, that, in tracing them out, the leading moves are so fre- 
quently repeated that they become indelibly fixed in the mind of the 
player, who thus remembers which moves are to be shunned as danger- 
ous if not ruinous, and which moves are to be adopted as equally sound 
and scientific. 

As to general advice relative to draught-playing, next to nothing can 
be learned from a volume of such instruction. The various modes of 
opening will be seen by reference to the accompanying examples. Among 
the few general rules that can be given, you should bear in mind that it 
is generally better to keep your men in the middle of the board, than to 
play them to the side squares, as, 'in the latter case, one-half of their 
power is curtailed. And when you have once gained an advantage in 
the number of your pieces, you increase the proportion by exchanges ; 
but in forcing them you must take care not to damage your position. If 
you are a chess player, you will do well to compare the draughts in their 
march and mode of manoeuvering with the pawns at Chess, which, as well 
as the bishops, or other pieces, are seldom so strong on the side squares 
as in the centre of the board. Accustom yourself to play slow at first, 
and, if a beginner, prefer playing with those who will agree to allow as 



DRAUGHTS. 455 

unconditional time for the consideration of a difficult position, to those 
who rig^idly exact the observance of the strict law. Never touch a man 
without moving it, and do not permit the loss of a few games to ruffle 
your temper, but rather let continued defeat act as an incentive to greater 
efforts both of study and practice. When one player is decidedly stronger 
than another, he should give odds, to make the game equally interesting 
to both parties. There must be a great disparity indeed if he can give a 
man, but it is very common to give one man in a rubber of three games ; 
that is, in one of the three games, the superior player engages to play 
with only eleven men instead of twelve. Another description of odds 
con^sts in giving the drawn games ; that is, the superior player allows 
the weaker party to reckon as won, all games he draws. Never play with 
a better player without offering to take such odds as he may choose to 
give. If you find yourself, on the other hand, so superior to your adver- 
sary, that you feel no amusement in playing even, offer him odds, and 
should he refuse, cease playing with him unless he will play for a stake ; 
the losing which, for a few games in succession, will soon bring him to 
his senses, and make him willing to receive the odds you offer. Follow 
the rules of the game most rigorously, and compel your antagonist to do 
the same ; without which. Draughts are mere child's play. If you wish 
to improve, play with better players, in preference to such as you can 
beat ; and take every opportunity of looking on when fine players are en- 
gaged. Never touch the squares of the board with your finger, as some 
do, from the supposition that it assists their powers of calculation, and 
accustom yourself to play your move off-hand when you have once made 
up your mind, without hovering with your fingers over the board for a 
couple of minutes, to the great annoyance of the lookers-on. While you 
play, do not fall into the vulgar habit of incessantly chattering nonsense ; 
and show no impatience at your adversary, should he be a little slow. 
Finally, bear in mind what may well be termed the three golden rules to 
be observed in playing games of calculation : Firstly, to avoid all boast- 
ing anc ^.oud talking about your skill ; secondly, to lose with good tem«= 
per ; and, thirdly, to win with silence and modesty. 

LAWS OF THE GAME. 

I. The first move of each game is to be taken by the players in turn, 
whether the game be won or drawn. For the move in the first game 
at each sitting, the players must cast or draw lots, as they must for the 
men, which are, however, to be changed every game, so that each player 
shall use the black and white alternately. Whoever gains the choice 
may either play first, or call upon his adversary to do so. 



456 



DRA UGHTS. 



2. You must not point over the board with your finger, nor do any* 
thing which may interrupt your adversary's full and continued view of 
the game. 

3. At any part of the game you may adjust the men properly on the 
squares, by previously intimating your intention to your adversary. This 
in polite society is usually done by saying " J'adoube." But after they 
are so adjusted, if you touch a man, it being your turn to play, you must 
play him in one direction or other if practicable ; and if yoti move a man 
so far as to be in any part visible over the angle of an open square, thai 
move must be completed, although by moving it to a different square you 
might have taken a piece, for the omission of which you incur huffing. 
The rule is "touch and move." No penalty, however, is attached to 
your touching any man which cannot be played. 

4. In the case of your standing the huff, it is optional on the part of 
your adversary to take your capturing piece, whether man or king, or to 
compel you to take the piece or pieces of his, which you omitted by the 
huff. The necessity of this law is evident, when the young player is 
shown that it is not unusual to sacrifice two or three men in succession, 
for the power of making some decisive *' coup.'*'' Were this law different, 
the players might take the first man so offered, and on the second's being 
placed ''^ en prise ^''^ might refuse to capture, and thus spoil the beauty of 
the game (which consists in the brilHant results arising from scientific cal- 
culation), by quietly standing the huif. It should be observed, however, 
that on the principle of '* touch and move," the option ceases the moment 
the huffing party has so far made his election as to touch the piece he is 
entitled to remove. After a player entitled to huff has moved without 
taking his adversary, he cannot remedy the omission, unless his adver- 
sary should still neglect to take or to change the position of the piece con- 
cerned, and so leave the opportunity. It does not matter how long a 
piece has remained " en prise^'''' it may at any time either be huffed or the 
adversary be compelled to take it. When several pieces are taken at one 
move, they must not be removed from the board until the capturing piece 
has arrived at its destination ; the opposite course may lead to disputes, 
especially in Polish Draughts. The act of huffing is not reckoned as a 
move, a " huff and a move " go together. 

5. If, when it is your turn to play, you delay moving above three min- 
utes, your adversary may require you to play ; and should you not move 
within five minutes after being so called upon, you lose the game ; which 
your adversary is adjudged to have won, through your improper delay. 

6. When you are in a situation to take on either of two forward diag- 
onals, you may take which way you please ; without regard (as in Polish 



DRA UGHTS. 



457 



Draughts) to the one capture comprising greater force than tlie other. 
For example, if one man is '''■en prise ^^ one way and two another, you 
may take either the one or the two, at your option. 

7. During the game, neither party can leave the room without mutual 
agreement ; or the party so leaving forfeits the game. Such a rule, how- 
ever, could only be carried out with certain limitations. 

8. When, at the end of the game, a small degree of force alone remains, 
the player appearing the stronger may be required to win the game in a 
certain number of moves ; and, if he cannot do this, the game must be 
abandoned as drawn. Suppose that three Black kings and two White 
kings were the only pieces remaining on the board ; the White insists that 
his adversary shall win or rehnquish the game as drawn, after forty * 
moves (at most) have been played by each player. The moves to be com- 
puted from that point at which notice was given. If two kings remain 
opposed to one king only, the moves must not exceed twenty on each 
side. The number of moves once claimed, they are not to be exceeded, 
even if one more would win the game. A move, it should be observed, 
is not complete until both sides have played ; therefore, twenty moves, 
so called, consist of twenty on each side. In giving the odds of '*the 
draw," the game must, however, be played to a more advanced state than 
is required in any other case. When, in such a game, the situations be- 
come so equal that no advantage can be taken, he who gives the draw 
shall not occasion any unnecessary delay by uselessly repeating the same 
manoeuvres ; but shall force his adversary out of his strong position, or, 
after at most twenty moves, lose the game through its being declared 
drawn. 

9. Bystanders are forbidden to make any remarks whatever relative to 
the game, until that game shall be played out. Should the players be con- 
tending for a bet or stake, and the spectator say anything that can be 
construed into the slightest approach to warning or intimation, that 
spectator shall pay all bets pending on the losing side, should that side 
win which has received the intimation. 

TO. Should any dispute occur between the players, not satisfactorily 
determined by the printed rules, the question must be mutually referred 
to a third party, whose decision shall be considered final. Of course, 
should a player commit any breach of the laws, and refuse to submit to 
the penalty, his adversary is justified in claiming the game without play* 
ing it out. 

II. Respecting a false move, such as giving a common man the move 

♦ We think half the number would be better. 



45S 



DRA UGHTS, 



of a king, or any other impropriety of the same sort, the law varies in 
different countries as to the penalty to be exacted by the opposite party. 
We cannot but suppose that such mistakes are unintentional} and con- 
sider it sufficient penalty, that in all such cases the piece touched must be 
moved to whichever square the adversary chooses ; or he has the option 
of. allowing the false move to stand, if more to his advantage. Should 
the piece be unable to move at all, that part of the penalty cannot be 
inflicted. 

12. The rule (almost universal with English Draughts) is to play on 
the white squares. The exception (limited, we believe, to Scotland) is to 
play on the black. When, therefore, players are pledged to a match, 
without any previous agreement as to which squares are to be played on, 
white must be taken as the law. The color of the squares, excepting so 
far as habit is concerned, makes no difference in their relative position 
on the board. 

In all cases, a player refusing to take, to play, or to comply with any of 
the rules, loses the game. Hence the saying, ** Whoever leaves the game 
loses it." 



CRITICAL POSITIONS, TO BE WON OR DRAWN BY 
SCIENTIFIC PLAY. 

Throughout these critical situations, the whites are supposed to have 
occupied the lower half of the board ; their men are, consequently, mov- 
ing upwards. 



No. I. 

White to move and wt'n.^ 



No. 2. 

White to move and win. 





♦This situation occurs in a great number of games, and ought to be we| 
understood. 



DBA UGHTS. 



459 



No, 3. 
White to move and draw* 




No, 4. 
Either to move^ W. win. 




No. 5. 

White to move and win. 




No. 7. 
White to move and win . 





^m^/. mm 

mm wm. i 



■ •■P) 





No. 6. 
White to move and zvtn. 




No. 8. 
White to move and win. 




* tliis situation often occurs when each player has equal men on different 
parts of the board ; black, however, not being able to extricate those men, it 
becomes a dra-.v 



460 



DRA UGHTS, 



No. 9. 
White to move and win. 




No, ID, 

White to move and wir 




No. II. 
White to move and win. 




No, 12. 
White to move and win. 




No. 13. 
White to move and win. 




DRA UGHTS, 



461 



EXAMPLES OF GAMES, FROM STURGES. 



Oame 1. 


4. 8* 


25.21 


II. 7 


E. 


11.15 


31.27 


9-13 


18.22 


2. 9 


22.18 


24.20 


II. 7^ 


7- 3 


28.19 


15.22 


27.23 


W . wins. 


5. 9 


9.14 


35.18 


8.11 




3. 7 


25.22 


8.11 Var. 


23.18 


A. 


9.13 


I. 6 


29.25 


II. 8 


9.14 


7.10 


32.28 


4. 8 


18.15 


17.10 


22.25 C. 


6. 9Fc 


25.22 


B. wins. 


6.15 


10.14 


31.27 


12.16 




27.24 


25.29 


9.13 


24.20 


Var. 


8.12 


31.27 


27.24 


10.15 


12.16 


24.19 


29.25 


13.17 


27.24* 


29.25 


15.24 


Drawn. 


22.13 


16.19 


8.H 


28.19 




14.17 


23.16 


24.20 


5. 9 


C. 


23.18 


15 19 


10.15 


13. 6 


13.17 


16.23 


24.15 


25.22 


1. 10 


10.14 


24.19 


9.14 


4. 8 


32.28 


17.21 


W. ^vins 


18. 9 


21.17 


3. 7 


14.17 




11.25 


7.10 


28.24 


22.25 


F. 


32.27 


17.14 


10.14 


17.22 


6.10 


5-14 


10.17 


31.26 


25.29 


28.24 


27.23 


22.13 


14.18 


22.26 


5. 9 


6.10 


15.22 


Drawn. 


29.25 


31.27 


16.12 


26.17 




31.27 


9.13 


8.11 


8. 12 A. 


B. 


W. wins. 


22.18 


28.24 


27.24 


25.21 




13.17 


25.29 


3. 7 


10.14 


D. 


18. 9 


30.25 


30.25 


17.10 


28.19 


17.22 


29.22 


7.10 


6.15 


9.14 


^•i 


26.17 


24.19B. 


13. 6 


25.22 


22.26 


11.15 


10.14 


2. 9 


2. 6 


6. 2 


20.16 


17.10 


24.19 


22.18 


26.31 


15.18 


6.24 


15.24 


6.10 


2. 7 


24.20 


13. 6D. 


28.19 


18. 9 


10.14 


18.27 


i.ioE. 


9.14 


5.14 


19*15 


3I.-M 


28.19 


19.15 


13. 9 


II. 18 


14. x8 


2. 6 


11.27 


14.17 


20.11 


16. K I 


31.26 G. 


20.11 


9.6 


31.26 


7.16 


11.15 


I. 6 


10.14 


23.19 


20.11 


20.11 


32.23 


6. 2 


26.23 


18.23 


15.24 


6. 9 


17.22 


24.20 


II. 8 


23-19 


23.19 


19.15 


23.32 


23.27 


10.14 


14.17 


11.27 


7.10 


8. 4 


26.22 


21.14 


20.11 


32.27 


27.31 


6u 9 


9.18 


Drawn. 


10.17 



* These asterisks, wherever they occur, denote the moves which cause the 
loss of the game. 



462 



DRA UGHTS, 



27. S4 


32.28 


€raine ^« 


10. 7 


ao.i6 


2. 7 


11.15 


18.23 


24. 8 


30.25 


22.18 


7. 3 


17.14 


7. II 


15.22 


23.27 


12.19 


25.21 


25.18 


3. 7 


14.16 


18.22 


8. II 


14.18 


8.12 


26.17 


29.25 


7. II 


W. wins. 


II.I5 


4. 8 


27.31 




20.16 


25.22 


II. 16 


G. 


15.18 


12.16 


31.27 


25.22 


24.20 


24.19 


l6.20 


6. 9 


18.22 


16.20 


18.22 


32.28 


27.24 


28.24 Var. I. 


B. wins. 


9.13 


22.26 


8.12 




28.24 


19.15 


32.28 


Var. 1. 


10.14 


12.19 


10.15 


19.15 


31.26 


13. 9 


19.10 


10.19 


13.17 


6.22 


7.14 


23.16 


22.13 


15. 6 


30.25 


9.14 


14.17 


1. 10 


11.16 


18. 9 


19.15 


24. 6 


18.15 


5.14 


11.27 


Drawa. 


3.8 


16.12 


B. wins. 




22.17 


11.1S 






14.18 


27.23 


€}ame 3* 




23-14 


6.10 


11.15 




9.18 


31.27 


24.20 




26.23 


8.11 


8. II 




6.9 


22.17 


22.18 




23.14 


15.18 


15.22 




9.18 


30.25 


25.18 




15.10 


2. 6 A. 


4.8 




8.11 


23.19 B. 


29.35 




10. 7 Var. 2. 


11.15 


10.15 




11.15 


28.24 


25.22 




7. 3 


6.9 


12.16 




2. 7 


17.13 


21.17 




3.19 


1. 6 


7.10 Var. 




16.32 


26.22 


17.13 




24.19 


7.11 


8.12 




33.27 


19.16 


28.24 




31.24 


3. 7 


9.14 




20.27 


24.19 


c8. 9 




17.14 


15.31 


5.14 




27.31 


22. 8 


23.19 




21.T7 


W. winv 


16.23 




31.26 




26. 19 




25.21 


A. 


3. 8 




26.22 


1. 6 


31.26 


' 


17.13 


X7.13 


15.18 




22.17 


11.15 


22.15 




14.10 


28^ 


1 1. 18 




17.14 


rxx 1 



23.19 

II. 16 

26.23 

13. 6 
2. 9 
21.17 
Drawn 

B. 

17.13 
1 1. 10 
28.24 

I. 
32. 

26.22 

ii.iS 
B. winr, 

Vai% % 

17.14 
11.15 
21.17 
16.19 
31.26 
2. 6 

17.13 
12.16 

2S.21 

18.23 

Draw.!> 

ii.i5 
02. iS 
15.2a 
25. i^ 
8.H 
29.21 

4. 8 
25.23 
12.16 
24.2c 
10.14 

27.24 
8.1a 

24.19 

7.1Q 
32.27 

9-13 
18. Q 



DRA UGHTS. 



'463 



5. 14 


14.17 


C 


icis 


30.2 s 


22.18 


21.14 


30.26 


21.17 


II. 16 


I. 5 


10.26 


9.14 


7.10 


20.11 


18. 9 


31.22 


10. 6 


27.24 
8.12 


7.23 


5-^* . 


7.10 


3. 8 


2^.2T 


19.15 A. 


30.25 


24.20 


17.13 


18.25 


11.18 


10.14 


8. II 


9.14 


27.11 


20.11 


25.21 


6. I 


18. 9 


25.30 


18.22 


13.17 


IT. 15 


5.14 I Var. 


II. 8 


26.17 


22.13 


I. 6 


24.i9i I, 2, 


30.26 


13-22 


6. 9 


15.19 


15.24 ( & 3. 


8. 3 


Tl. 8 


Drawn. 


20.16 


28.19 


26.23 


22.25 




18.23 


14.17 


3-! 


8.4 




26.22 


32.27 


23.18 


25.29 


B. 


23.26 


10.14 


8. II 


4.8 


II. 7 


16.11 


27.24 Var. 4. 


10.14 


2. 7 


6. 9 


26.30 


3- 7,, 


24.19 


23.19 


13. 6 


II. 7 


30.25 Var. 5. 


18.23 
11.10 


29.25 


23.27 


30.26 


6. 9 


27.24 


31.24 


B. wins. 


13. 6 


14.17 


14.18 


10.15 




1.10 


21.14 


21.17 


19.10 


a 


22.13 


6.10 


25.22 


12.19 


16.12 


14.18 


14. 7 


17.13 


24.15 


to. 14 


23.14 


2.20 


18.23 


18. 9 


I. 5 


16.30 


XI 


8.4 


28.24 


26.23 


25.21 


10.14 


14.18 


5. I 


10.17 


B. wins. 


24.20 


24.19 c. 


23.19 


21.14 




22.18 


18.23 




30.25 


Var. % 


4. 8 


19.16 


19.-15 


14. 9_ 


30.25 


18.22 


9.14 

ID. 6 


6. 2 


11.15 Var. 6. 


14.17 


20.16 


15.IJ 


9= 6 


25.21 r 


22.18 


23.27 


2. 6 


2. 9 


3. 7 


8. II 


6. I 


3. 7 


13. 6 


21.14 


7.10 


14.10 


6.10 


15.18 


10.17 


28.24 B. 


30-25 


14.18 


6. 2 


24.19 


14.17 


27.31 


10. 3 


7.10 


15-24 


24.20 


25.21 


18.14 


2. 6 


28.19 


10.14 


31.26 


12. 8 


10.14 


7.10 


II. 8 


21.17 D. 


B. wins. 


6.9 


32.27 


17.22 


26.23 




25.21 


17.21 


8.11 


17.13 


Gramme 5. 


31.26 


'2'2.\% 


14.17 


10.14 


11.15 


14.17 


21.25 


II. 8 


I. 5 


22.18 


Drawn. 


18.15 


I7.ci^ 


23.19 


15.22 




II.18 


B. wins. 


16.12 


25.18 


Var. 1. 


20.11 




19.15 


8.11 


23.19 


25.30 




5. « 


29.25 


16.23 


23. 7 


A. 


15-10 


4. 8 


26.19 


B. wins. 


27.24 


I. 5 


25.22 


3* 7 




3. 7 


10. 6 


12.16 


31.27 
I4.x6 


Var. %^ 


«6.2a 


B. wi!^ 


24.ao 


3>^ 



464 



DRAUGHTS. 



33.19 A. 

16.33 
27. 9 

5.14 
24.19 

15.24 
28,19 

11.15 
32.28 
15.24 
28.19 
3. 8 
26.23 
14.17 
22.18 
17.22 
B. wins. 



23.18 

14.23 

26. 19 B. 

16.23 

37.18 

10.14 

iS. 9 

5.14 

30.26 
12.16 
26.23 

54.17 
24.19 

15.24 
28.12 
17.26 
23.18 
6.10 
B. wins. 



B. 

27.18 
16.19 

32.27 C 

^' I 
20.10 

11.20 

i8.ii 

10.15 

22.17 

3. 7 

II. 8 

7.10 

8.3 

9.14 

3.8 
14.21 

8. II 

B. wins. 

C. 
22.17 I^' 

15.31 
24. 8 

5. 9 
30.25 
31.26 
B. wins. 

D. 
26.23 
19.26 

30-23 
10.14 
18. 9 

5.14 
23.19 

6.10 
32.27 
B. wins. 



Var. 41 

22.18 

I. 5 
18. 9 

5.14 
19.15 
11.18 
20. n 
12.16 
27.24 
18.27 
24.20 
27.32 
31.27 
32.23 
26.12 
17.22 
II. 8 
14.18 

8. 4 
18.23 

4. 8 
22.26 

30.25 
26.30 
25.22 

30.25 
22.17 
25.21 

17.14 
21.17 

14. 9 
17.14 
Drawn. 

Var. 5, 

22.18 

I. 5 
18. 9 

5.14 
26.22 



17.26 

31.22 

14.17 . 

22.18 

17.22 

19. IS 
16.19 

15. 8 
19.28 
18.14. 
28.32 

7.11 
23.19 
32.27 

3. 8 

2. 7 

8.15 

7.10 
14. 7 

6. 9 
B. wins. 

Var. 

25.22t 

9. 6E. 

2. 9 
13. 6 
22.18 

6. 2F. 
18.23 

2. 6 

11.15 
6. 2 

711 

2. 6 
15.18 

6.10 
18.22 
10.14 
22.25 



6, 



14.17 

25.29 
17.14 

29.25 
14.10 
25.22 
10.14 
23.27 
14.10 
22.17 
31-26 
27.32 
26.23 
32.28 
23.19 
28.32 
B wina 

E. 

9. 5 
22.18 
31.26 
11.15 

5. 1 
7. II 

1. 5 
12.16 

13. 9 
16.19 
B. wins. 

F. 

31.26 

11.15 

6. 2 

2. 6 
18.14 
26.23 
12.16 
B. wins. 



LOSING GAME. 



This game, which is lively and amusing, may, for variety's sake, be 
occasionally played. Although not ranked as scientific, it has its nice- 
ties, and requires considerable attention and management. 

The player who first gets rid of all of his men wins the game. Your 
constant object, therefore, is to force your adversary" to take as many pieces 
as possible, and to compel him to make kings, which is accomplished by 
opening your game freely, especially the back squares. Huffing, and the 
other rules, apply equally to this game.^_ 



DRA UGHTS. 465 

SPANISH DRAUGHTS. 

This variation is played on a board like that used in the English 
game and with the same number of men. It is played with the double 
corner to the left of the player, instead of to the right as in the English 
game. There are several ways in which the movements of the piecc-i 
in the two games differ. The laws and methods of the English game 
hold good, except in the following instances: 

When there are a good many pieces en prise — that is, in a position 
to be taken — on various parts of the board, it is compulsory for the 
player to make the captures with the man that takes the greatest num- 
ber. 

Sometimes the game is varied by playing .with eleven men and a 
piece called Dama (king), or with ten men and two Damas. In these 
cases the king, or Dama, has the right to move as many squares as he 
likes in a diagonal direction from the square which he occupies. The 
king has a right to any of his adversary's men on a diagonal com- 
manded by him, provided, of course, that there are one or more vacant 
squares behind the man. Should there be en prise one or more men 
on a diagonal crossing the diagonal that he commands, he must turn off 
at the angle and make the capture and every other capture that he 
can make. 

ITALIAN DRAUGHTS. 

This game is like the English and Spanish games as to board and 
men, with some differences, however, in the methods of play. Eike the 
Spanish game, it is played with the dotible corner to the left. The 
laws are few, and are: 

1. A single piece is not allowed to take a king. 

2. When there are several men in a position to be captured, it is 
compulsory to take the largest number and the most powerful. 

3. In the situations similar to those in the English game where it is 
optional for the player to capture a man with either a single piece or 
a king, in the Italian game the capture must be made with the king. 
In all other respects the laws of the English game govern. 

TURKISH DRAUGHTS. 

This game is different from all the others. It is played on an un 
checkered board, and the pieces move forward and sideways either to 
the right or left, but they cannot move backward nor diagonally. Tlic 
boards and the management of the men, and the method of marking the 



466 



D^A UGHTS, 



board for the »ake of working out problenw and rec©r<!ing pkyt, ar« 
shown in the diagrams below. 

In this game the men have greater liberty of action, as they 
are permitted to move in three instead of two directions. Also. 
they have a greater field of action, as there are sixty-four squares on 
the Turkish board, as against thirty-two on the English and fifty on 
the Polish boards. The elementary principles, however, are the same 
as in the games already mentioned, and the game offers as extensive 
and as scientific developments. 

This game, like the ancient varieties of the game, is a mimic battle 
in which the soldiers advance, extend and close, mass, march in 



CO 


81 


82 


83 


84 


85 


86 


87 


8~ 


00 

o 

1/3 
^- 

CM 
















' 


r>. 


71 


72 


73 


74 


75 


76 


7 


78 


• 


• 


• 


• 


• 


• 


• 


• 


O 


61 


62 


5§ 


64 


65 


6 


67 


68 


9 


• 


® 


® 


# 


• 


• 


• 


ylb 


51 


52 


5§ 


54 


5 


56 


57 


58 


















^ 


41 


42 


43 


4 


45 


46 


47 


48 


















c^ 


31 


11 


3 


34 


35 


36 


37 


38 


O 


o 





o 


o 


o 


o 





c\J 


l\ 


2 


23 


24 


25 


26 


27 


28 


O 


o 


o 


o 


o 


o 


o 







1 


12 


13 


M 


15 


16 


17 


18 



















1 2 



4 5 6 7 8 



12 3 4 5 6 7 8 



columns, etc. The gar^.e is governed by the rules of the English game, 
except as here described. 

White always moves first. The pieces move one square at a time, 
forward or to the right or the left. The men capture in the direction 
in which they are moving, by leaping over the adverse men be- 
hind which there is an open space. A pawn is made a king under the 
same conditions as in the Knglish game, which, of course, can move 
in any direction. A king can jump a complete column in capturing or 
otherwise. His powers are the same as in the Spanish and Polish 
games. 

In this game, capturing, when it is possible to capture, is com- 
pulsory. The men captured are moved from the board as they are 
captured, thus opening up the ranks of the enemy so that other men 
can be captured. 



DKB, 



467 



DICE. 



The spots on dice, from one to six, are counted in their numedca] 
order. The ace is the lowest ; the six is the highest The ace counts fof 
one, the six for six. 

THROWING. 

Dice being shaken in the box are to be thrown on the table. Aftei 
throwing, dice not to be touched. 

FOUL THROWS. 

When a dice falls on the floor or on anything else but the table where 
the game is being played, it is counted as a false throw, and does not 
count. If a dice is touched when it is in motion, it is not counted as a 
throw. When one dice stands on another, a position called *' a cocked 
dice," it is a false throw. If one dice leans up against another, or does 
not stand square on its base, this arising not from any inequality of the 
table, it is a false dice. Foul throws due to accident as described, can be 
thrown over. 

REGULAR DICE. 

As many players engage as wish, and a pot is made. Three dice 
are used. To decide who shall play first, and the order, either small 
ivory balls with numbers are used, or a single suit from a pack of cards 
is taken, when the highest plays first. After the first round, tiie elder 
hand begins, and so on in succession. Three dice are thrown at a time, 
with three casts. The addition of the whole nine dice, makes the total. 
Thus, first throw : a four, a five, and a six, which is fifteen ; second 
throw, a deuce, a three, and a five, which is ten ; and the third and last 
throw, two fives and a six, which is sixteen. The total is forty-one. 

First throw - . . 15 

Second throw , c . . . . 10 

Thirdthrow 16 

41 

In the addition of the three easts, the highest total wins. When ther« 
are ties, another cast of three dice, thrown three times, as described be- 
fore, are made, and the highest wins. This is the usual game played 
v»hen an object is raffled. 



468 " DICE. 



RAFFLES. 

In Raffles, pair or triplets win, as in Poker. Three dice are thrown, 
and the player can throw until he makes a pair. He may throw triplets. 
Thus he throws the three dice, and turns an ace, deuce, four. There are 
no pairs. He throws again, and makes a pair of sixes. Then he stops. 
He can throw no more. The other player makes a cast and throws two 
sixes or three aces at the first or second throw, and he wins. Any 
triplet will beat a pair. As in Poker, the dice after the pair counts the 
highest. Thus two players, each casting a pair of aces, if one had a 
single three, and the other a single deuce, the player with a pair of aces 
and a three would win. Once a pair reached at the second throw, or 
triplets, the player stops. 

DRAW POKER WITH DICE, 

Five dice are used. Each player may have two throws. Any numbet 
may engage in the game. The player throws the five dice at one cast. 
Say he throws two aces, and a two, three, and four. He would leave 
the two aces, and throw the other three dice. He might throw another 
ace, make threes, or two more aces, making fours, or perhaps make all 
five aces. It would be possible for him to make three deuces with the 
cast, and have a full. The player may throw all his five dice, or any 
number a second time. Understanding Poker, all the variations of values 
are appreciated. This is the only difference, that the values of the points 
thrown begin with the ace and end with the six, a pair of sixes being 
worth more than a pair of aces. When the turn is made with five sixes, 
it is the best hand. The players each put in the pot one or more chips 
according to prior arrangement. It is not obligatory to throw a second 
time. The first cast may suffice a player. 

MULTIPLICATION. 

Three dice are used, and there are three throws for each player. The 
three dice being cast, the highest dice is left on the table. Then the two 
dice are thrown, and the highest is left. The last dice is then thrown. 
Say the first dice thrown was a six, which was left, and the two die© 
when thrown the higher was a four. • Then the six of the first cast, the 
four of the second dice, if added, make ten. The third and last dice 
thrown is the multiplier. If it were a six, six times ten would maki} 
sixty. The highest number made in this way wins. 



DICE. 469 



CENTENNIAL DICE. 

Any number may play. Three dice are used. On the table number? 
are chalked from one to twelve ; as they come in numerical order, the 
player wipes them out if he throws them. Say a first cast is an ace and 
a deuce, and a six. Ace and deuce coming in numerical order, allow the 
player t« efface the one and two chalked on the board. The six is use° 
less. Any single number helps the score. For the numbers over six, the 
addition of any twc dice makes the point. Thus, seven can be made with 
an ace and six, a two and five, a three and four, and so on. The throws 
go on in succession. If it is so agreed, the game is shortened ; whenever 
a person happens to know the three exact numerical successions required, 
then he can count six points. Centennial has no exact rules, and can b« 
played in a variety of ways. 

ACE POT. 

This is played with two dice, and any number of persons may engage 
in the game. Each player has two counters. It being decided by lot 
who shall begin, two dice are thrown. Every player begins with two 
chips in h*B possession. If he throws an ace, he must place one counter 
in the pot. if a six, he passes a chip to his left-hand neighbor. No ac- 
count is taken of anything else but the ace and six. If he throws double 
aces or double sixes, he passes two chips to the pot or the next player. 
In time, the dice being thrown in succession, it happens that a player has 
one chip left. The player holding the last chip has three throws. If he 
throws an ace, he passes it to his neighbor, and he is out of the game. 
If he throws a six, he wins the pot. The same cast governs the elder 
player, if the first caster has not thrown a six. Ace Pot has no regular 
rules. 

VINGT-ET-UN. 

As in the game of cards, the dice are thrown, so as to make twenty 
one, or as near to it as possible. As three dice might show three sixes, 
which is 18, two dice are used. Two dice are cast, and the number 
added, and then the player may throw as often as he likes afterward, so 
as to get near to twenty-one. He may stand at any time. If he throws 
over twenty-one, he is worsted. Sometimes dice Vingt-et-un is played 
with one dice. All the rules are like those when Vingt-et-un is played 
with cards. Pairs pay the banker. There is no natural Vingt-et-un as 
(b the card game. Bets are made before the dice are thrown. 



470 



DICE. 



BEGGAR YOUR NEIGHBOR WITH DICE. 



This is a simple modification of Centennial, the player chalking from 
one to six on the table. A single dice is thrown. If the thrower turns 
up a number he does not want, the elder hand takes that number and 
wipes it off of his score. No numerical progression is requisite. If a 
dice is thrown, which neither the caster nor the elder hand has, the next 
player can efface it from his score. The first player who can rub out all 
his numbers wins. Failing to throw a dice having one number required, 
the casting Is taken by the next player. 

ROUND THE SPOT. 

• • * 

Looking at the five ^ • the three • there is a centre spot around 

which the others are grouped. An ace has a central point, but has no 
surrounding. The ace, deuce, four, and si» are considered then as not 
ijounting. 

Three dice are used, and only the fires and threes counted. Three 
throws are made, and the person throwing the greatest number of th« 
additions of the threes and fives wins. 

CHUCK-A-LUCK, OR SWEAT. 

This is a game played with dice on a doth-covered table, whidfc il 
nmobered in this way : 




SWEAT TABLE. 

stakes are placed on the numbers by the players, and the wagers a©^ 
repted by the banker. The player has three dice, and he throws thest 
three dice. Say he has wagered a stake on the five. If he throws one 
five in the three dice, he wins one stake. Should he throw a double-five, 
he wins twice his stake ; if a triplet, he wins three times his stake. The 
banker takes after every throw all the wagers on the numbers not shown 
by the dioa. 



DICE. 471 



GOING TO BOSTON. 

This game resembles Multiplication and is played with three dice. 
It differs from Multiplication only in the counting. The last throw is 
added to, instead of being' used as a multiplier of, the sum of the two 
remaining on the table. As an example, if 4 and 5 had been thrown 
and the last throw was 6, the sum would be 15. 

HELP YOUR NEIGHBOR. 

This is the opposite to "Beggar Your Neighbor" (page 469). It is 
played with three dice and affords a great deal of amusement. Six 
persons is the usual number of players. When the game begins it is 
agreed that the game shall be for fifty, one hundred, or any number 
of points. The players are numbered from i to 6 in regular order, 
or each selects his number by lot. The players throw in regular rota- 
tion. For example, the first player throws 4, 5, 6. He counts nothing 
for himself, as his number is i, but the highest number is chalked up 
in No. 6's score. If the second player throws 2, 2, 3, he scores two for 
himself and No. 3 scores three points. If No. 3 throws three fives he 
gets nothing, but No. 5 gets five points. If the next player throws 
three ones he gets nothing, but No. i scores a point. So to the end. 
When a player makes the number of points agreed upon, the game 
ends. If a pool is the prize the first m.an out wins; if the game is 
for refreshments the last player out loses. 



472 HAZARD. 



HAZARD. 

This is a game with dice. The player, who takes the box and dfcei 

Airows a main — i. e. , a chance for the company, which must exceed four, 
and not be more than nine, otherwise it is no main ; he consequently must 
keep throwing till he produce five, six, seven, eight, or nine ; this done, 
he must throw his own chance, which may be any above three, and not 
exceeding ten ; if he should throw two aces or trois ace (commonly termed 
crabs), he loses his stakes, let the company's chance, which we call the 
main, be what it may. If the main should be seven, and seven or eleven 
is thrown immediately after, it is called a nick, and the caster (the present 
player) wins out his stakes. If eight be the main, and eight or twelve 
should be thrown directly after, it is also termed a nick, and the caster 
wins his stakes. The caster throwing any other number for the main, 
such as are admitted, and brings the same number immediately after- 
ward, it is a nick, and he gains whatever stakes he has made. Every 
three successive mains the caster wins he pays to the box, or furnisher of 
the dice, the usual fee. 

The meaning of a stake or bet at this game differs from any other. If 
any one chooses to lay some money with the thrower or caster, he must 
place his cash upon the table, within a circle destined for that purpose ; 
when he has done this, if the caster agrees to it, he knocks the box upon 
the table at the person's money with whom he intends to bet, or mentions 
at whose money he throws, which is sufficient, and he becomes respon- 
sible for whatever sum is down, unless the staker calls to cover ; in which 
case the caster is obliged to stake also, else the bets are void. The person 
who bets with the thrower may bar any throw which the caster may be 
going to cast, on condition neither of the dice is seen ; but if one die 
should be discovered, the caster must throw the other to it, unless thd 
Ihrow is barred in proper time. 

TABLE OF THE ODDS. 

If seven is the main and four the chance, it is two to one against tha 
thrower. 

6 to 4 is 5 to 3. 
5 to 4 is 4 to 3. 

7 to 9 is 3 t(V 2. 

, < 3 to two, barring two trois, 

( 6 to 5 with the tv;o trois. 
7 to 5 is 3 to 2, 



HAZARD, 473 

ieven, barring two trois. 
5 to 4, with two trois. 
f even, barring two fours. 
•5* ( 5 to 4, with two fours. 

9 to 5 is even. 
9 to 4 is 4 to 3. 

The nick of seven is seven to two sometimes, and ten to three. 

The nick of six and eight is five to one. 

It is absolutely necessary to be a perfect master of these odds, so as to 
have them as quick as thought, for the purpose of playing a prudent 
game, and to make use of them by way of insuring bets, in what is 
termed hedging, in case the chance happens to be not a likely one ; for 
a good calculator secures himself by taking the odds, and often stands 
part of his bet to a certainty. For instance, if seven is the main, and four 
the chance, and he has five dollars depending on the main, by taking six 
dollars to three, he must either win two dollars or one ; and on the other 
hand, if he does not like his chance, by laying the odds against himself 
he must save in proportion to the bet he has made. 

ADDITIONAL CALCULATIONS ON HAZARD. 

If 8 and 6 are main and chance, it is nearly ii to 12 that either one or 
the other is thrown off in two throws. 

If 5 and 6, or 9 and 7, are main and chance, the probability that they 
will be thrown in two throws is near 11 to 12. 

If 5 and 8, or 9 and 8, or 5 and 7, or 9 and 6, are main and chance, the 
probability of throwing one of them in two throws is as 7 to 9 exactly. 

And if 7 and 4, or 7 and 10, are main and chance, the probability thht 
they will be thrown out in two throws is also as 7 to 9. 

If 7 and 8, or 7 and 6, are main and chance, you may lay 15 to 14 that 
one of them \z thrown in two throws. 

But if 5 and 4, or 5 and 10, or 9 and 4, or 9 and 10, are main and 
chance, he that engages to throw either main or chance in three throws 
has the worst of the lay, for it is very near as 21 to 23. 

If the main be 7, the gain of the setter is about one and one-third 
per cent. 

If the main be 6 or 8, the gain of the setter is about two and a half 
per cent. 

If the main be 5 or 9, the gain of the setter is about one and a hall 
per cent. 



474 TEN.PINS. 

But should any person be resolved to set up on the first main that is 
thrown, his chance is about one and seven-eighths per cent. 

Hence the probability of a main to the probability of no main, is as 
87 to 28, or very nearly. 

If a person should undertake to throw a six or an ace with two dice in 
Dne throw, he ought to lay 5 to 4. 

dnotJier table displaying the odds against winning any number 0/ 
events successively ; equally applicable to Hazard^ Faro^ Rouge et 
Noir^ Billiards^ or other games of chance. 

T. It is an even bet that the player loses the first time. 
2. That he does not win twice together, is . , 3 to i. 

Three successive times • . * 7 to i. 

Four *♦ •* 15 to I. 

Five " •* 31 to I. 

And in that proportion to any number, doubling the odds eTciy tin% 
vrith the addition of one for the stake* 



TEN-PINS. 

RULES. 

1. Ten roDs constitute a game. 

2. Each roll consists of three balls delivered in succession by the 
player, unless the pins are down in less. A ten-strike (double) or a single 
(spare) ends the roll. But this must not be understood to have reference 
to the score of a division, which, in the case of a double or a single, de* 
pends upon subsequent play. 

3. Any number of players,- not exceeding five, can play on a side, and 
the losers, i. e.y the side making the lowest aggregate number of pinSg 
must pay the expenses of the game. 

4. Ties to be decided by a single ball each. 

5. No player must advance beyond the line of the alley in delivering a 
ball. (The line is a chalk-mark usually drawn across the player's end of 
the alley to mark the limit beyond which players must not pass till the 
ball has been delivered from their hands.) 

6. Pitching the balls is not allowed, and any player persisting in doing 
so after being warned by the marker (or ** setter-up ") is out of the game. 

7. All pins that are down count for the player, whether knocked down 



SHUFFLE-BOARD. ,^75 

fey the ball in its direct course or by its rebound, or by dead-wood, /*. ^., 
a pin already down. 

8. The maker, by agreement between the players, may decide any dis- 
puted point (unless a special umpire be appointed), and his decision shall 
be final. 

9. The player or side counting the larger number of pins scored wins 
the R-ame. 



SHUFFLE-BOARD. 

Shuffle-Board bears some resemblance to Ten-pins, only iron or 
bronze weights are used instead of balls ; and these are slid instead of 
rolled down a board, which board has been sprinkled with fine sand. 
Board is thirty feet long, perfectly level, and with a low outer edge. 
From both ends of the board, five inches from the ends, and parallel 
with them, two lines are drawn. The one on the player's end is the 
starting-point, the other is the finish. The pieces or weights are eight, 
consisting of two sets, each set, or four pieces, having a distinctive mark. 
Weight should be one pound. . Two or four persons can play, taking 
their stations at one or the other end of the board. Two persons play 
against two. The object of the game is to score twenty-one points, and 
they are made as follows : each piece which lays over, or inside of the 
line, at the end of the round, is called ** in " and scores two points. 

RULES OF SHUFFLE-BOARD. 

Each piece partly projecting over the end of the board at the end of a 
round scores three points. 

At ^iie end of the round, no piece being in, that piece nearest to the 
line co*ints one. 

A p>^e exactly on the line counts in and scores two, 

PJa^ «an be made from either end of the board. 



470 CHESS. 

CHESS. 

For the game of Chess a chess-board and chessmen are required. 

The boards which is square, is made of leather or wood. The surface 
of the board is divided into sixty-four squares^ of equal size, eight on 
each of the four sides. The squares are colored alternately white and 
black, or white and red. 

The men are generally made of ivory or wood, covered with baize^ 
The men are thirty-two in number. Of these, sixteen (which belong to 
one player) are colored white ; and sixteen (which belong to the othei 
player) are colored black or red. 

Each player's men consist of eight pieces and eight pawns ^ thus named 
and figured : 

WHITE. BLACK. WHITE. BLACK. 

King ^ ^ Queen ^ ^ 

s 

Twobishops A ^ 

Twoknights. ^^ 'J^ 

Eightpawns. Q Z 

RELATIVE VALUES OF THE MEN. 

A knight is worth rather more than three pawns, a bishop rather more 
than a knight, but practically these minor pieces are regarded as of equal 
value. A rook is worth a minor piece and two pawns. If a player gains a 
rook for a minor piece he is said to win the exchange. Two rooks are about 
equal to three minor pieces. A queen slightly exceeds in value two 
rooks. These approximate values, though they vary with position^ in- 
dicate what exchanges may, as a rule, be made with advantage (see 
Capturing). The king is not included, as, from the nature of the game, 
he cannot be captured. ,j 



CHESS, 



Ml 



DESCRIPTION OF THE GAME. 

Chess is played by two persons, who occupy positions opposite to each 
Dther, where the words " white " and *' black " occur in the diagram. 

BLACK. 



mm A mm ^ 'W9 ^ 'WM 4 




WHITE. 

The board must be placed with a white square in the right-hand 
comer. The players then determine by lot which of them shall have the 
white men and which the black. Each places the men of his own color 
as shown in the diagram. The rooks occupy the corner squares; the 
knights the next squares ; the bishops the next ; and the king and queen 
the centre, the queen being always placed on a square of her own color. 
The pawns occupy the row of squares immediately in front of the pieces. 

The game is opened by one player's moving (see Law III.) one of his 
men from the square on which it stands to some other square^ in the 
manner and with the limitations to be presently described. The other 
player then moves one of his men, and so on alternately. When one 
man is placed within a certain range of an adverse man, he can be 
captured, as will be fully explained. The g;ame proceeds until one of the 

27 



478 



CHESS. 



kings occupies a position from which he cannot escape, when the game is 
won or drawn (see Checkmate and Drawn Games). 

NOMENCLATURE OF THE MEN AND SQUARES. 

Before describing the moves and powers of the men the notation used 
in printed games and problems should be explained. 

The pieces to the right of the white king are called the king's bishopj, 
king's knight, and king's rook respectively ; those to the left of the white 
queen are called the queen's bishop, queen's knight, and queen's rook 

BLACK. 



0R& 8th 




QBsSth 


M 


Ks8th E^8 


KKtsSth 


H 


H 


Q)CTg7THI 


H 


ONgSb 

Qs7th 


Hjrz 


H 


KRs7th 


QRUth 






H 




KK/sifTH 


H 


W 


QKtsSth 




QsSth 


^ZL 


B 


KRsSth 


QRs4jh 




oyutH 


H 


rr.^ 


KKfs47H 


■ 


H 


QKts3«D 


m 


Qs3ro 


HZ! 


■ 


KRs3th 




H 


OBkZiuo 


H 


z^ 


KKr's2«D 


H 


■ 


OKfsso 




Q'ssq 




H 


KRsso 



WHITE. 



respectively. The black pieces are similarly named. The king's knight 
and rook are usually stamped to distinguish them from the queen's. 

The pawns are named after the pieces in front of which they stand. 
Thus, the pawn in front of the king is called the king's pawn, that in 
front of the king's bishop is called the king's bishop's pawn ; and so on. 

The square on which each piece stands at the commencement of a 
game is called his square. Thus, the king stands on the king's square, 
the king's rook on the king's rook's scjuare, and so on. The rows of 



CHESS, 479 

squares running from left to right or from right to left are called ranks. 
Thus the pieces in diagram stand on one rank, the pawns on another. 
The rows of squares running from comer to corner of the board, oi 
parallel to them, are called diagonals. The rows of squares running 
straight from the white men to the black men (see diagram), and vice 
versdy are called Jiles. The file proceeding from each piece is called his 
file, e. g.^ the file to White's extreme right is called the king's rook's file, 
the next the king's knight's file, and so on. The squares of each file are 
numbered from two to eight ; thus the king's rook's pawn in the diag^ram 
stands on the second square of the king's rook's file, or, as it is called foi 
short, on the king's rook's second ; in printed games, contracted to K R'£ 
2d. If this pawn were pushed forward one square, it would stand on 
K R's 3d ; two squares on K R's 4th, and so on. Every square is thus 
namedy^r each player^ according to its file and its distance from the 
rank on which that player's pieces were originally placed, so that the 
king's rook's square (K R's sq) of White is the king's rook's eighth 
(K R's 8th) of Black, and so on for all the other squares. 

The names of all the squares, fo-r each player, and the contractions 
used in describing them in print, will appear clearly from the diagram, 
premising only that K stands for king; Q, for queen; B, for bishop 
Kt, for knight ; R, for rook ; P, for pawn ; and sq, for square. 

The other abbreviations used in Chess notation are — adv, adversary's ; 
ch, check ; dis ch, discovered check. 

The word square is omitted except in the case of a move being made 
to the rank on which the pieces were first placed. Thus, if a knight 
were moved to bishop's third square, the move would be called knight to 
bishop's third, abbreviated in writing to Kt to B's 3d. If the knight 
were then moved back again to the square from which he started, the 
move would be described as knight to his square, in short, Kt to his sq<- 
Similarly, if the knight were moved to the square originally occupied by 
any of the pieces, the move would be written Kt to Q's sq, or Kt to K's 
sq, or to B's sq, or to R's sq, as the case might be, and so on for other 
pieces moved to the first rank of squares. 

The full description of the man and the name of the square from which 
he moves are also omitted, except it so happens that two men of equal 
value can make a similar move or can move to the same square. Thus, 
either king's knight or queen's knight could at starting move from his 
square to bishop's third, hence, if each knight were on his square, it 
would be necessary to specify which knight makes the move : thus, if the 
king's knight were moved, it would be written K's Kt to B's 3d. But if 
the queen's knight were not able to move to bishop's third square, the 



48o CHESS. 

move would be written Kt to B's 3d, because there can then be no doubt 
as to which knight is intended. Again, if king's pawn is moved from 
king's second square to king's fourth square, the move would appear thus, 
P to K's 4th. It is not necessary to say K's P, because there is, only one 
pawn which can move to that square. 

The same method applies in capturing ; pawn takes pawn, is written 
P takes P if there is only one pawn that can take a pawn ; but if there is 
more than one pawn en prise^ or, if two pawns have the option of taking 
one, it would be necessary to specify which pawn makes the capture. 

THE MOVES.* 

The King may be moved only one square at a time in any direction 
(see Castling). Thus, if placed on K's 5th, he might be moved to K's 
^th, Q's 4th, Q's 5th, Q's 6th, K's 6th, K B's 6th, K B's 5th, or K B's 4th. 

The Queen may be moved any number of squares in any direction 
straight or diagonal. Thus, if placed on Q's 6th she might be moved 
thence to Q R's 6th, or to K R's 6th, or to any square of that rank. Or 
she might be moved to her square (Q's sq), or to Q's 8th, or to any square 
of that file. Or she might be moved to K B's 8th, or to Q R's 3d, or to 
any square of that diagonal ; or similarly, she might be moved to Q Kt's 
8th, or to K R's 2d, or to any square of that diagonal. 

The Rook may be moved any number of squares in a straight line. 
Thus, if placed on K Kt's 3d he might be moved to K R's 3d, or to Q R's 
3d, or to any square of that rank ; or to K Kt's sq, or to K Kt's 8th, or 
to any square of that file. 

The Bishop may be moved any number of squares diagonally Thus, 
if placed on K's 4th, he might be moved to K R's 7th, or to Q Kt's sq, 
or to any square of that diagonal. 

The Knighfs move is most readily described by supposing that it is 
made up of two motions, viz.: one square diagonally and one square 
straight. In the second portion of his move he must not return to the 
square adjacent to the one from which he started. Thus, if placed on 
Q's 4th, he might be moved to Q B's 2d, or to Q Kt's 3d, or to Q Kt's 
5th, or to Q B's 6th, or to K's 6th, or to K B's 5th, or to K B's 3d, or to 
K's 2d. 

The Pawn may be moved one square forward ; but at his first move, 
he may be moved either one square or two. Thus, if placed on K's 2d 
he might be moved to K's 3d or to K's 4th. Similarly if placed on Q's 

* The description of the moves and their limitations should be followed witli 
a board and men, each man being placed as directed. 



CHESS. 481 

2d he might be moved to Q's 3d or to Q's 4th, and so on for other pawns 
standing on the second rank, and which consequently have never been 
moved. But after a pawn has made one move he can only be moved one 
square at a time. Thus a pawn at K's 3d can only be moved to K's 4th. 

LIMITATIONS OF THE MOVES AND FURTHER POWERS 

OF THE MEN. 

In the previous description it has been assumed, for the sake of sim- 
plicity, that no other man was on the board but the oiie whose move was 
under consideration. The presence of other men materially limits or 
varies the powers of those about to be moved. In most cases the player 
has the choice of several moves ; but when it so happens that there is 
only one move on the board which he can legally make, his move is said 
to he forced. 

If a player touches a man he must move it, except the man was 
touched by accident, or is touched for the purpose of adjusting it (and see 
Law VI.). 

No man is allowed to be moved on to a square already occupied by a 
man of his own color. 

No man can pass beyond any man of either color placed in his line oi 
march, except the knight, or in castling. For example : suppose the men 
placed for the beginning of a game, and that White moves P to K's 4th. 
At his next move, he can move his queen, but only in the diagonal from 
Q's sq to K R's 5th, because the queen is prevented from moving in any 
other direction by the proximity of her own pieces and pawns. Now 
place a white man on White's K Kt's 4th. The queen can only be 
moved to K's 2d or to K B's 3d. 

The knight can make his move independently of the position of other 
men, or, as it is sometimes expressed, can leap over them. Thus, tha 
men being placed as in diagram, the knight might be moved to R's 3d or 
to B's 3d. 

Any man when moved may at the same time capture or take any ad* 
verse man which is en prise — i. e.^ situated on a square to which the man 
can be legally moved (see Check). A player is not compelled to take a 
man which is en prise if he has any other lawful move. If a man is en 
prise of more than one adverse man, the player may take with whichevej 
he pleases. Taking is effected by removing the man captured from the 
board, and placing the man moved on the square previously occupied by 
the man taken. For example : in the case of the white queen being on 
her square, and a black man on K's Kt's 4th (no other man intervening)^ 
the black man is en prise, and may be captured. 



482 CHESS. 

All the pieces move !n precisely the same way when taking as at otK ' 
times ; but the pawns do not. The pawn's march when not taking its 
straight forward ; but he takes diagonally, being then moved one squ«fe 
forward to the file to the right or left of the one on which he stands. 
For example : suppose White at the beginning of the game plays P to 
K's 4th, and Black replies with P to K's 4th, the two pawns impede each 
other's further progress, but cannot take. If, however, Black replies P 
to Q's 4th, White could take the queen's pawn. If he takes the pawn he 
leaves the king's file for the queen's file. When two pawns of the same 
color are on the same file, the front one is called a doubled pawn. 

A pawn is called 2, passed pawn when there is no adverse pawn between 
him and the eighth square of the file on which he stands, nor between 
him and the eighth square of the adjacent files right and left. Thus, 
olace the men as at starting, and remove Black's queen's bishop's pawn, 
and his king's pawn. Then if White moves P to K's 4th, and Black P 
to Q's 4th, and White moves P takes P, White's doubled pawn is also a 
passed pawn. 

Now suppose, instead of P takes P, White plays P to K's 5th and that 
Black replies P to K B's 4th. White has the power of taking the king's 
bishop's pawn if he pleases, just the same as though it had only been 
moved to K B's 3d. This he would do by taking the king's bishop's 
pawn off the board and placing his king's pawn on K B's 3d. This is 
called taking en passant. Only a pawn can take en passant^ and the 
privilege, if made use of, must be exercised by the capturing pawn at the 
next move after the adversary's pawn has passed him, or the power of 
taking en passant is lost. If a pawn is advanced to the eighth rank he 
may be exchanged for any piece, except the king, which the player se- 
lects. This is called queeniiig^ because a queen is generally the piece 
thosen. The piece selected need not be one of those already captured ; 
consequently a player may have two or more queens, or three or more of 
the other pieces on the board, if he pleases so to exchange queened 
pawns. Or, the player may decline to avail himself of the privilege of 
ftxchanging, and leave his pawn a dead pawn.'*' 

The king is allowed once in the game to move two squares in conjunc-- 
tion with one of the rooks. This is called castling. To castle on the 
king's side, the king is first moved from his square to the king's knight's 
square, and the king's rook is then moved from his square, to the king's 
Dishop's square. To castle on the queen's side, the king is first moved to 

* This IS the rule laid down by some leading Chess Association ; but it is 
«till a question with some players whether a dead pawn should be permitted. 



CHESS. 483 

the queen's bishop's square, and the queen's rook to the queen's square. 
In castling, king and rook may be moved simultaneously, but the plan o£ 
moving the king first is recommended to beginners (see Law X.). 

Castling is not permitted — ^, if the king is in check ; ^, if the king has 
already been moved ; c^ if the rook has been moved, or if it is touched 
first and quitted before the king is touched ; d^ if the king has to pass 
over or to remain on a square guarded by an adverse man ; or, ^, if there 
is any piece belonging to either player between the king and the rook ; or 
/, if the king is moved as a penalty he cannot castle on that move. 

The move of the king is restricted by the fact that he cannot be captured. 
Consequently he is not allowed to be moved to any square which is guarded 
^y an adverse man, nor on to a square adjacent to the adverse king. Even 
U a man is pinned — i. tf., if guarding a square he cajmot be moved without 
opening a check on the king of his own color, nevertheless the adverse 
king must not be stationed on that square. 

When a player makes a move that is not in accordance with the fore- 
going instructions it is called dL false move (see Law VIL). 

If the king is attacked by any man (except the adverse king, which can- 
not attack him), he is said to be in cheeky and as the king may not remain 
where he can be captured (even if the attacking man is pinned), he must 
be removed out of cheeky or some man must be interposed between the 
checking piece and the king (but the knight's check cannot be met by in- 
terposing), or the attacking man must be taken. The player attacking 
must warn his adversary of the danger to his king, by calling *' check." 

When the king is directly attacked by the man last moved, it is called 
a simple check. If the man moved does not check, but opens a check by 
some other piece, it is called a discovered check. If the king is attacked 
both by the man moved and by the one discovered, it is called a double 
check. Of course a double check cannot be met by interposing, or by 
capturing one of the checking pieces. 

If the king is checked and is unable to move to a square that is not 
guarded, aud no man can be interposed, and the checking man cannot be 
taken, he is checkmated. The player giving checkmate wins the game. 

The game may be drawn in various ways. Thus, if neither player has 
sufficient force left to give checkmate, as with a king and a knight only 
or with equality of force and position, as with a queen against a queen, or 
a rook against a rook, and no immediate mate, the game is drawn. Or, if 
a player has one piece only besides the king, or with certain other forces 
(see Law XI.) with which mate may be effected, he is bound, on notice 
being given, to checkmate his adversary in fifty moves at most on each 
Bide, or the game is drawn. The game is also drawn if both players pei> 



484 CHESS. 

sist in repeating the same move, c r if one player persists in giving per* 
petual check. This position arises when a player can repeat a check on 
one of two or more squares, and his adversary's only mode of disposing of 
one check presents an opening for another. 

Lastly, a stalemate is a drawn game. If the player who has to move 
5s not in check, and cannot move the king without going into check, and 
has no other man on the board that can be legally moved, he is st2de» 
mated. 

THE LAWS OF CHESS. 

[These laws were In force during the following tournaments and matches j 
Paris Tournament (for the French Emperor's Prize), 1867 ; Dundee Toijrst'- 
ment, 1867 ; London Challenge Cup, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1870, and 1872 ; Bad^ja 
Grand Tournament, 1870 ; London Grand Tournament, 1872; Vienna Tourna- 
ment (for the Emperor of Austria's Prize), 1873 \ ^he match by telegraph be- 
tween London and Vienna, etc., etc. They have also been adopted by numer- 
dus Chess Clubs.] 

L— THE CHESS-BOARD. 

The board must be so placed during play that each combatzunt has a 
^hite square in his right-hand corner. If, during the progress of a 
game, either player discovers that the board has been improperly placed, 
Ae may insist on its being adjusted. 

n.— THE CHESSMEN. 

If, at any time in the course of a game, it is found that the men were 
not properly placed, or that one or more of them v/ere omitted at the be- 
^nning, the game in question must be annulled. If at any time it is 
discovered that a man has been dropped off the board, and moves have 
been made during its absence, such moves shall be retracted, and the man 
restored. If the players cannot agree as to the square on which it should 
De replaced, the game must be annulled. 

III.— RIGHT OF MOVE AND CHOICE OF COLOR. 

The right of making the first move, and (if either player require it) of 
choosing the color, which shall be retained throughout the sitting, muet 
be decided by lot. In any series of games between the same players at 
one sitting, each shall have the first move alternately in all the games, 
whether won or drawn. In an annulled game, the player who had the 
Srst move in that game shall move first in the next. 



> 



CHESS. 485 



IV.— COMMENCING OUT OF TURN. 

If a player make the first move in a game when it is not his turn to do 
so, the game must be annulled if the error has been noticed before both 
players have completed the fourth move. After four moves on each side 
have been made, the game must be played out as it stands. 

v.— PLAYING TWO MOVES IN SUCCESSION. 

If, in the course of a game, a player move a man when it is not his 
*um to play, he must retract the said move ; and after his adversary has 
moved, must play the man wrongly moved, if it can be played legally. 

VI.— TOUCH AND MOVE. 

A player must never touch any of the men except when it is his turn to 
play, or except when he touches a man for the purpose of adjusting it ; in 
which latter case he must, before touching it, say, " I adjust," or words 
to that effect. A player who touches with his hand (except accidentally) 
one of his own men when it is his turn to play, must move it, if it can be 
legally moved, unless, before touching it, he say, " I adjust," as above; 
and a player who touches one of his adversary's men, under the same 
conditions, must take it, if he can legally do so. If, in either case, the 
move cannot be legally made, the offender must move his king ; but in 
the event of the king having no legal move, there shall be no penalty. 
If a player hold a man in his hand, undecided on which square to play itj 
his adversary may require him to replace it until he has decided on its 
destination ; that man, however, must be moved. If a player, when it is 
his turn to play, touch with his hand (except accidentally or in castling) 
more than one of his own men, he must play any one of them legally 
movable that his adversary selects. If, under the same circumstances, he 
touch two or more of the adversary's men, he must capture whichever of 
them his antagonist chooses, provided it can be legally taken. If it hap- 
pen that none of the men so touched can be moved or captured, the 
offender must move his king ; but if the king cannot be legally moved, 
there shall be no penalty. 

VII.— FALSE MOVES AND ILLEGAL MOVES. 

If a player make a false move — that is, either by playing a man of his 
own to a square to which it cannot be legally moved, or by capturing an 
adverse man by a move which cannot be legally made — he must, at the 
Uioice of his opponent, and according to the case, either move his own 



486 CHESS. 

man legally, capture the man legally, or move any other man legally 
movable. If, in the course of a game, an illegality be discovered (not 
involving a king being in check), and the move on whicli it was com- 
mitted has been replied to, and not more than four moves on each side 
have been made subsequently, all these latter moves, including that on 
which the illegality was committed, must be retracted. If more than 
four moves on each side have been made, the game must be played out 
as it stands. 

VIII.— CHECK. 

A player must audibly say ** Check I " when he makes a move which 
puts the hostile king in check. The mere announcement of check shall 
have no signification if check be not actually given. If check be given 
but not announced, and the adversary makes a move which obviates the 
check, the move must stand. If check be given and announced, and the 
adversary neglects to obviate it, he shall not have the option of capturing 
the checking piece,* or of covering, but must " move his king" out of 
check ; but if the king have no legal move there shall be no penalty. If 
in the course of a game it be discovered that a king has been left in check 
for one or more moves on either side, all the moves, subsequent to that 
on which the check was given, must be retracted. Should these not be 
remembered the game must be annulled, 

IX.— ENFORCING PENALTIES. 

A player is not bound to enforce a penalty. A penalty can only be en- 
forced by a player before he has touched a man in reply. Should he 
touch a man in reply in consequence of a false or illegal move of his op- 
ponent, or a false cry of check, he shall not be compelled to move that 
man, and his right to enforce the penalty shall remain. When the king 
is moved as a penalty, it cannot castle on that move. 

X.— CASTLING. 

In castling, the player shall move king and rook simultaneously, or 
shall touch the king first. If he touch the rook first, he must not quit 
it before having touched the king ; or his opponent may claim the move 
of the rook as a complete move. When the odds of either rook or both 
rooks are given, the player giving the odds shall be allowed to move his 
king as in castling, and as though the rooks were on the board. 

♦ Or Pawn. 



C//ESS. 487 



XI.— COUNTING FIFTY MOVES. 

A player may call upon his opponent to draw the game, or to mate him 
within fifty moves on each side, whenever his opponent persists in repeat- 
ing a particular check, or series of checks, or the same line of play, or 
whenever he has a king alone on the board, or 
King and Queen, \ 

King and Rook, ( . , , . ^ 

,.. t T^. , > agamst an equal or supenor force. 

Kmg and Bishop, [ ^ ^ '^ 

King and Knight, / 

King and Two Bishops, j 

King and Two Knights, V against King and Queen. 

King, Bishop, and Knight, ) 

and in all analogous cases ; 
and whenever one player considers that his opponent can force the game, 
or that neither side can win it, he has the right of submitting the case to 
the umpire or bystanders, who shall decide whether it is one for the fifty 
move counting ; should he not be mated within the fifty moves, he may 
claim that the game shall proceed.* 

XII.—PAWN TAKING IN PASSING. 

Should a player be left with no other move than to take a pawn in 
passing, he shall be bound to play that move. 

XIII.— QUEENING A PAWN. 

When a pawn has reached the eighth square, the player has the option 
of selecting a piece, t whether such piece has been previously lost or not, 
whose name and powers it shall then assume, or of deciding that it sha^. 
remain a pawn. 

XIV.— ABANDONING THE GAME. 

if a player abandon the game, discontinue his moves, voluntarily resign, 
wilfully upset the board, or refuse to abide by these laws, or to submit to the 
decision of the umpire, he must be considered to have lost the game. 

* For example: A has king and queen against B's king and rook. B claims 
to count fifty moves. At the forty-ninth move, A by a blunder loses his queen. 
B can claim that the game proceed, and A in his turn may claim the fifty move 
eounting. 

t Except a king. 



488 CHESS. 



XV.— THE UMPIRE OR BYSTANDERS. 

The umpire shall have authority to decide any question whatever that 
may arise in the course of a game, but must never interfere except when 
appealed to. He must always apply the laws as herein expressed, and 
neither assume the power of modifying them, nor of deviating from 
them in particular cases, according to his own judgment. When a ques- 
tion is submitted to the umpire, or to bystanders, by both players, theif 
decision shall be final and binding upon both players. The term by« 
Slander shall comprise any impartial player of eminence who can be ap- 
pealed to, absent or present. 

TECHNICAL TERMS USED IN CHESS. 

Check AND Checkmate. — The "king always remains on the hoard and 
cannot be taken like the other pieces. When, therefore, he is attacked 
by a piece or pawn, he is said to be in check — a position of which the 
player receives warning by his opponent crying cheek ! Under such cir- 
cumstances, he must do one of these three things : He must move out of 
check, interpose a man, or take the piece — the piece that attacks him. In 
taking a piece, the king, equally with the other pieces, moves on to the 
square previously occupied by his opponent. If the king can do neither 
of these things he is said to be checkmated^ and his game is lost. There 
are several kinds of check : Simple chech is when the king is attacked 
by a single piece or pav/n. Discovered check is when, by removing a 
piece or pawn from before a checking piece, an attack from the latter is 
opened or discovered. Double check occurs when the adverse king is 
attacked by two pieces at one and the same time. The double check o£ 
course occurs in consequence of a discovered check. 

Place the pieces thus : 

White. Black. 

K. at his 5th sq. B. at K.'s R.'s sq. 

Kt. at K.'sB.'s3Sv^ 

Now, by removing the knight to his queen's second square, or to the 
king's knight's fifth square, you both discover check and ^w^ double check. 
Then there is what is called Perpetual cheeky which occurs when the op- 
posing forces can occupy such a position as allows the adverse king no 
escape from one attack without rendering himself liable to another. This 
may occur when the king is attacked by one or more pieces ; and if the 
player insists o^ repeating the check, the game is ended by being drawn. 



. CHESS, 489 

Place the pieces thus, and you will see that a single queen can draw the 
garaf* '"y perpetual check against two queens : 

Black. White. 

K. on Q.'s R.'s sq. Q. on her 5th, 

Q. on her Kt.'s sq. 
Q. on Q.'s R.'s 2 sq. 

Stalemate is that position of the king in which though not In check, ,. . 
cannot move without going into cheek. Stalemate is a drawn game. It 
must be understood, however, that stalemate is not effected while the 
player attacked has any other piece or pawn to move. Smothered Mate 
is a term employed when the king is so surrounded by his own men that 
he cannot escape the attack of the adverse knight. 

Drawn Game. — If neither player can checkmate his opponent, the 
result is a drawn game. The several situations in which the game is 
drawn are — ^by stalemate ; by perpetual check, or when both parties per- 
sist in acting on the defensive ; when the forces on each side are equal or 
nearly so ; as queen against queen, rook against rook, and so on ; and no 
effective result can be obtained ; or when, having sufficient force, the 
attacking party is unable to effect checkmate vaji/ty moves from the time 
his opponent begins to count. 

Castling. — Once in every game the king has the privilege of moving 
two steps. This is done in the move called Castling^ and is performed 
in combination with either of the rooks. It is performed in this way : 
If the space between the king and rook be unoccupied, the king moves 
two squares to the right or left, and the rook is brought to the square next 
the king on the side farthest from the corner from which it was moved. 
The player cannot castle — if either king or rook has been previously 
moved ; if the king passes over or rests on a square commanded by an 
opponent's piece ; or if the king be at the moment in check. 

En Prise. — A piece attacked by another is said to be en prise; that is, 
51 danger of being taken 

To Interpose is to bring a piece between your king, when in check, 
and the attacking piece. This term is also used when you cover your op» 
ponent's attack on any other piece with one of your own. 

Winning the Exchange. — ^When you take a queen for a rook, a roolc 
for a bishop, or a bishop for a knight, you are said to win the exchange. 

Minor Pieces. — The knight and the bishop are so called. It is usuaj 
to call the king, queen, rook, bishop, and knight, pieces^ and the pawns, 
men. 

Rank and File. — As the pieces stcind on the board at the commencoi 



490 CHESS. 

ment of the game, they are in two ranks^ the pawns before the superlot 
pieces, after whom they are called, as the king's pawn, queen's bishop's 
pawn, etc. The horizontal rows of squares are termed rankSy and the 
vertical squares ^/^i". 

Doubled Pawn. — When two of your pawns stand on the same file, 
the front one is called a doubled pawn. 

Isolated Pawn.— A pawn standing alone, without the protection of 
another pawn or piece. 

Passed Pawn. — When a pawn has advanced to a square unguarded 
by a pawn belonging to the opposite player, it is called a passed pawn. 

To TAKE En Passant. — When a pawn has advanced to the fifth square, 
and the opposite player pushes a pawn two squares forward, as his first 
move, the other pawn has the privilege of capturing him in passing ; that 
is to say, the pawn that has passed over the square guarded by the ad- 
vanced pawn, is liable to be captured just as if it had moved only one 
square ; or it may be allowed to remain, at the option of the other 
player. A pawn only, and not a piece, can be taken en passant. 

Queening a Pawn. — When you are able to advance a pawn to the 
eighth square of the file, you can exchange it for a queen or any other 
piece. Thus, you may have two or more queens, three or more rooks, 
bishops, or knights, on the board at the same time. This peculiarity be- 
longs to the modem game of Chess. According to Major Jaenisch, the 
Italians changed the advanced pawn for any piece already taken. 

Forced Move. — When a player can only make one single move, it is 
called a forced move. 

Gambit. — This term is derived from the Italians, who, when in wres^ 
tling, give their opponents some apparent advantage for the purpose of 
tripping them up. In Chess it is used when a pawn or piece is purposely 
abandoned by the player who has the first move. There are various 
kinds of gambits — as the king's gambit, the muzio gambit, etc. — but of 
these we shall have to speak by and by. The pawn sacrificed is called 
the gambit pawn. 

J'adoube. — ^This term is used when a player touches a piece or pawi 
without the intention of moving it. It means, ** I adjust, or replace. ** 

ADVICE TO LEARNERS. 

Alwajrs adhere to the laws of the game. 
Never refuse to accept odds of a superior player. 
When you find your g^ame hopeless, do not prolong it, but retire 
tfuUy. 



CHESS. 



491 



Do not allow your hand to wander about the board from piece to piece : 
study the game, look well on the board to see that none of your principal 
pieces are in dangfer, decide upon your next move, and make it. Ind© 
dsion is fatal to success. 

Accustom yourself to play indifferently with Black or White. 

When you have the advantage in strength of pieces, keep it by judi- 
cious exchanges. Protect your pawns ; toward the end of the game, a 
pawn is often as valuable as a piece ; when you can, protect a superior 
piece with an inferior, as a queen with a bishop. 

Do not allow your queen to wander too far from her lord fbt the salie 
of winning a pawn. 

The following openings are now presented : 



KING'S KNIGHT'S OPENING. 


White. 


Black. 


1 P. tOKe'S4 


I r to K's 4 


2 K. Kt. 10 B.»s 3 


2 Q. Kt. to B.'s 3 


3 P. to Q.'b B.'s 3 


3 P. to K. B.'s 4 


4 P. to Q.'s ^ 


4 P. takes Q.'s P. 


5 P. to K.'s 5 


5 P. takes Q. B.'s P. 


6 Q.'s Kt. takes P 


6 K. B. to Q. Kt's s 


7 Q. B. to K. Kt.'s 5 


7 K. Kt. to K.'s 2 


8 K. B. to Q. B.'s 4 


8 P. to Q.'s 4 


9 P. takes P. in passmg 


9 Q. takes P. 


10 Q. to K.'s 2 


10 Q. Kt. to Q.'s 5 


II Kt. takes Kt. 


II Q. takes Kt. 


12 Castles on K's side 


12 Q. B. to Q.'s 2 


12, Q.'sKt. toQ.'ss 


13 Castles on Q.'s side 


14 Q. B. takes Kt. 


14 B. takes B. 


15 Kt. takes B. (rh.) 


15 K. to Kt.'s sq. 


16 K. R. to Q. sq. 


16 Q. to K. R.'s 5 


17 B. to Q. Kt.'s 3 


17 Q. to K. R.'s 3 


18 R. to Q.'s 2 


18 P. to K. B.'s 5 


19 K.'s R. to Q.'s sq. 


19 P. to K. B.'s 6 


ao Q. takes P. 


20 P. toQ. R.'s 3 


21 R. takes B. 


21 R. takes R. 


22 R. takes R. 


22 Q. to her B.'s 8 (dl.) 


23 Q, to her sq. 


23 Q. takes Kt.'s P. 


24 R. to Q.'s 8 (ch.) 


24 R. takes R. 


25 Q. takes R. (ch.) 


25 K. to R.'s 2 


26 Kt. toQ.'sB.'s6(ch.) 


26 P. takes Kt. 



49^ CHESS. 

Whhe. Blade. 

S7 Q. takes P. (ch.) «7 K. to Q. R.'s sq. 

28 Q. takes P. (ch.) 28 K. to Q. Kt.'s sq. 

29 Q. to Q. Kt.'s 6 (ch.) 29 K. to Q. R.'s sq. or Q. B/s iq, 

30 B. mates 

By a study of the above game, the reasons for the various moves ma| 
be understood. 

HOW TO CHECKMATE. 

With young players, and even with some who are advanced in the prac- 
tice of the game, it sometimes happens that the pieces are exchanged so 
frequently, that in the end one player is left with a much superior forcCc 
The beginner should accustom himself to practice the most common and 
obvious class of checkmates — those consisting of the king and one or 
two pieces against a king alone, or a king with few supporters. 

The most simple of all checkmates is that of a 

KING AND QUEEN AGAINST A KING. 

All that it is necessary to do in this case is to drive the opposite king to 
one side of the board, and bring up your own king, when mate may be 
effected in a few moves. To exemplify this, place the Black king on his 
square, and the White king and queen on their squares. White can then, 
in spite of all his adversary may do, compel mate in about eight moves, 
with a single check. 

White, having the move, advances his queen to her sixth square, which 
has the effect of confining the Black king to two rows of squares^ You 
then advance with the White king till only one square remains open be- 
tween the two monarchs, and mate. But you must beware of staler 
mating the Black. See the following : 

POSITION I. 

White. Black. 

K. at K. B.'s 6 sq. K. on his sq. 

Q. at her 6 sq. 

Now, the White having the move, mates at once by moving to tv.'s 
seventh square ; but if Black have to move, it is a drawn game by stale- 
mate, seeing that the Black K. cannot move without going in check. Al- 
ways remember that, to mate with the queen, it is necessary that the two 
kings should be opposite each other, or at the distance of a Kt.'s move. 
Examine 



CHESS, 493 



POSITION II. 

White. Black. 

K. at his Kt.'s 6 sq. ^ K. at his R.'s sq. 

Q. at her Kt.'s 7 sq. 

3|Jere the White, having the move, can mate on either of five squau-es-^ 
namely, Q. R.'s eighth, Q. Kt.'s eighth, Q. B.'s eighth, K. Kt.'s seventh, 
or K. R.'s seventh. And if the Black moves first, inate is equally certaui 
by either of the above moves, except the last, which, if made, would al- 
low the Black another move, to his bishop's square. 

POSITION III. 

White. Black. 

K. at his B.'s 6 sq. K. on his Q.'s sq. 

Q. at her B.'s 6 sq. 

White can now mate in two moves, but if he places his king on hii 
own sixth square. Black is stalemated as before. The proper move, 
therefore, is to place the queen on her knight's seventh, when the Black 
king must move to his own square, and accept mate, by White playing 
his queen to king's seventh. As the pieces stand in the above position. 
Black, with the move, is stalemated. This will show the young player 
how careful he ought to be in advancing his queen, for the very power of 
this piece renders the tyro liable to stalemate his adversary by a single 
false move. 

Tt is not necessary that instances of this nature should be multiplied, 
the careful student of Chess being once aware of the principle to be 
adopted and the error to be avoided. The queen can always checkmate 
an unsupported king, from any part of the board, in from five to twelvt 
moves. Place the pieces in the following order, and try 

POSITION IV. 

White. Black. 

K. at his sq. K. at his Q.»s third. 

Q. at her B.*s sq. 

The queen can of herself force the adverse king to the side of the 
board ; but as a certain quantity of work is generally more easily per- 
formed by two persons than by one, so it will be found easier to matf 
with the assistance of the king. Thus : 



494 CHESS. 



White. Black. 

1 Q. to K. Kt.'s 5. 1 K. to his 3. 

2 K. to his 2. 2 K. to Q. 3. 

3 K. to his 3. 3 K. to his 3. 

4 K. to his 4. 4 K. to Q.*s 3, 

5 Q. to K. Kt.'s 6. 5 K. moves. 

6 K. advances. 6 K. moves. 

7 Q. mates. 



4 



It will be seen that one check, or at most two checks, will win the vift? 
oiy. Avoid useless checks is an axiom in Chess never to be forgotten. 

CHECKMATE WITH THE ROOK. 

The power of the rook at the end of the game is almost equal to that 
of the queen. It is necessary, in order to compel mate with the rook, 
that the kings should stand opposite each other with only an open square 
between, or that the attacked king should be in a comer square with the 
other king distant only a knight's move. Next to the queen, the rook is 
the most important piece on the board. In the early part of the game 
he has few opportunities for action, but toward the end, when the pieces 
get changed off and the board becomes clear, especially after the removal 
of the queens, the rook is almost irresistible as an attacking piece. With 
young players it is common to exchange rooks early in the game. This 
is a mistake, for we should never forget that it is easier to win with a king 
and rook than with a king and two bishops, or even with a king, bishop, 
and knight ; while it is impossible to win with two knights without the 
assistance of a pawn. Do not be too anxious to bring your rooks too 
early into play ; but after you have castled, then let the rooks support 
each other, and defend your king on his own rank. 

Doubled Rooks — that is, one rook placed before the other — are very 
powerful, and, in fact, more than equal to a queen. It is good play to 
post a rook on your adversary's second rank, as it prevents the advance 
Df his king. But while you are thus careful of your own rooks, endeavor 
by all means to prevent your opponent from doubling his. This you 
may do, either by pushing on a pawn or posting a knight or bishop on 
the diagonal the second rook would occupy. It is generally better play 
to defend your rooks than to exchange, should your adversary offer to do 
so ; without, indeed, you see an evident advantage in the change. It is 
a very powerful reason for bringing your pieces early into play that the 
rooks are comparatively useless at home, and cannot be advantageous 
virorked except in a tolerably clear fiel 



CHESS. 495 

To checkmate with a rook is very easy, when opposed to a king alone. 
All you have to do is to advance your rook, so as to confine the king to as 
small a portion of the board as possible, and then to push forward your 
ov/n king, till the two monarchs stand directly opposite each other. This 
may be accomplished from any part of the board in about nine moves. 
With two rooks against one, the readiest way to effect mate is to force an 
exchange, and then work on with the single rook. It is almost needles? 
that I should illustrate this by examples ; but, by way of exercise, I give 
lb'* ollowing position, which was discovered by the celebrated Stamma : 

White. Black. 

K. on his Q.'s 8 K. on his Q.*s 3 

R. on Q. R.'s 7 R. on K. R.'s 5 
R. on Q. B.'s 5 

Here it will be seen that Black, with the move, can mate immediately ; 
and even without the move, it would seem that he must at least draw the 
game, because White cannot at the same time prevent the mate and pro- 
tect the rook next the adverse king. But let us see. By playing thus, 
White, with the move, wins the game : 

White. Black. 

1 Ro to K. R.'s 5 I R. takes R. 

2 R. to Q. R.'s 6 (ch.) 2 K. moves 

3 R. to Q. R.'s 5 (ch.) 3 K. moves 

4 R. takes R. — and wins. 

If Black declines to take the offered rook, White wins equally the 
same, because he is then enabled to give check at his next move. 

Rook against Rook is a drawn game. 

Rook against Knight usually wins. 

It is generally admitted by first-rate players, nowadays, that rook and 
bishop against a single 7-00 k is a drawn game. 

Rook and Pawn against Rook ought to win. 

Rook and Pawn against a Bishop ought to win. 

Rook ought to draw the game against rook and knight. 

THE BISHOP AND KNIGHT. 

Those who have studied Morpliy's style of play noticed that he gener- 
ally confined his attack to one side of the board. This he accomplished 
by a judicious use of his bishops and knights. Beginners very frequently 



496 



CHESS. 



change away these pieces in the early part of the game, which is injudi* 
rious. The bishop is generally considered as of rather more value than 
the knight ; but toward the end of the game the knight is a very power- 
ful piece. In the centre of the board the bishop attacks and defends 
thirteen squares, toward the side eight or nine, and in a side square only 
seven. The king's bishop is considered the most powerful at the begin- 
ning of the game, because it can check the king on his own square, or 
after he has castled. It is sometimes good play to give check with the 
bishop, if by so doing you oblige the king to move, and thus prevent him 
from castling. Two bishops can checkmate, but two knights cannot^ 
without the assistance of a pawn. 

A knight is generally considered to be worth three, and in some situa* 
tions, four pawns. In the centre of the board he attacks eight squares, 
^ut as he moves toward the side his power sensibly decreases. He can- 
not be taken by any piece he attacks except the opposite knight, and his 
attack cannot be counteracted by interposing any other piece. He is a 
dangerous opponent, because he makes his attack without putting him- 
self en pi'ise^ and can give check and fork another piece at the same move. 
A curious problem, often stated by writers on Chess, shows how the 
knight may pass on to every square on the board without stepping on 
one square twice. The simplest way of effecting this object, is that shown 
by M. Demouvre, which is as follows : 

The knight starts from the top right-hand comer, and passes com- 
pletely over the board in a series of jumps, by which the outer squares 
are first filled. 



34 


49 


22 

35 
62 


II 


36 


39 


24 


I 

40 
13 


21 
"48" 

9 

32 


10 
33 


50 


23 


12 


37 


57 


38 


25 


2 


20 

47 
8 


SI 


54 


63 
S6 


60 


4X 


26 


58 

55 


61 

52 


53 


14 


3 
42 
15 


59 


64 


27 


31 


6 


17 


44 


29 


4 


7 


18 


45 


30 


5 


16 


43 


28 



There are several other ways of effecting this object. 



CffESS, 



497 



BLACK. 



KING, KNIGHT, AND BISHOP AGAINST KING. 

This is one of the most difficult and interesting endings of games. 
As it is impossible to checkmate with two knights, so the mate with 
knight and bishop is seldom accomplished by inferior players within the 
given fifty moves. The secret, as in the 
mate with two bishops, is not only to drive 
the adverse king into a comer, but it must 
be the comer commanded by your bishop. 
Suppose you start with the pieces on their 
several squares, your first efforts must be to 
drive the single king on to the last line, 
whence, by a series of ingenious moves, you 
force him into the fatal comer, from which 
there is no escape. But a more difficult 
position still occurs in the " Palamede," 
and is quoted by Mr. Staunton. Here the 
king is in the corner not commanded by 
your bishop. You have therefore to drive 

him into a white corner. That this position may be better understood 
see the diagram here presented. 

What the player has to do in this case is to keep close to his adversary 
and drive him round. Thus : 




WHITE. 



White. 
I Kt. to K. B.'s 7 (Ch.) 
3 B. to K.'s 4 

3 B. to K. R.'s 7 

4 Kt. to K.'s 5 

5 Kt. to Q.'s 7 

6 K. to his 6 
7K. toQ.'sd 

8B. toK. Kt.»s6(dL) 
9 Kt. to Q. B.'s 5 

10 K. B. to his 7 

11 Kt. to Q. Kt.'s 7 (du) 

12 K. to Q. B.'s 6 

13 K. to Q. Kt.'s 6 
T4 B. to K.'s 6 (ch,) 
15 Kt. to Q. B.'s 5 
X6 B. to Q.»s 7 . 

17 Kt. to Q. R.'s 6 (cb.) 
t8 B. to Q. B.'s 6 (mate) 



Black. 
I K. to Kt.'s sq. 
3 K. to B.'s sq. 

3 K. to his sq. 

4 K. to K. B.'s sq. 

5 K. to his sq. 

6 K. to Q.'s sq. 

7 K. to his sq. 

8 K. to Q.'s sq. 
9K. toQ. B.'ssq. 

10 K. to Q.'s sq. 

11 K. to Q. B.'s sq. 

12 K. to Q. Kt.'s sq. 

13 K. toQ. B.'ssq. 

14 K. toQ. Kt'ssq. 

15 K. to Q. R.'s sq. 

16 K. to Q. Kt.'s sq. 

17 K. to Q. R.'s sq. 



49* CHESS. 

If, at his fourth move, black king had moved to h!s queen*s squarCj 
white would have answered with bishop to queen's third, and so have 
prolonged the mate by a move or two. But if the white play well, ob- 
serving always the rule of the above moves, and allowing the black king 
never to get away into the middle of the board, mate is inevitable. But 
the greatest care must be observed, or the black king will escape, and you 
will have all your work to do over again, and so perhaps allow your op- 
ponent to gain the fifty moves that entitle him to claim a draw. Not to 
weary the student with too much teaching, let him practice and conquer 
the principle of the above moves. 

CHECKMATE WITH THE BISHOPS. 

In ordinary games between ordinary players the endings are usually 
confined to a few simple and well-understood methods. We have seei| 
how a queen, opposed to inferior pieces, wins. In the majority of cases, 
a queen would win against two rooks from her power of checking and 
forking at the same move ; though if the rooks, with the move, can sup- 
port each other, they may certainly force an exchange and win. The 
queen may generally be said to win against two bishops ; but numerous 
instances occur in actual play in which the bishops draw the game. Mr. 
Walker gives the following position as one in which black must submit to 
a draw: 

White. Black. 

K. at K. Kt. 4 K. at Kt. 2. 

Q. at Q. R. 4 B.'s at K. Kt. 3, and K. B. 3 

With the queen or rooks on the board, mate is comparatively easy, bu* 
when you are left with two bishops opposed to a single king or a king and 
pawn, the mate within the stipulated fifty moves becomes a matter of 
difficulty. But, study the principle of this checkmate, and its practice 
is easy enough. The whole philosophy of the matter is this : the king 
must be forced into one of the corners, or certainly into a square adjoin* 
ing, when mate follows as a matter of course. But beware of giving a 
number of useless checks ; support your bishops with the king, and then 
you may give mate with two, or at most, three checks. So long as you 
continue to check with one or other of the bishops, so long may your ad« 
versary keep in the centre of the board. Place the pieces on their own 
squares, and gradually advance your king, while at the same time you 
draw a line of demarcation with your bishops, across which the opposite 
king cannot pass. la less than twenty moves vou will be able to mate. It 



CHESS. 499 

shotdd be remembered that the power of the bishops is jtist as g;reat at 4 
distance as when close to the adverse king. 

Taking the following position, mate may be given in about eight 
moves. 

White. Black. 

K. atK. Kt.3 iCathissq. 

B. at K. B. 5 
B. at K. B, 4 

ENDINGS OF GAMES WITH PAWNS AGAINST PAV^TNS. 

It will have been seen by the intelligent student that the successful end- 
ing of a game often depends on the proper management of the generally 
despised pawns. It cannot be too often impressed upon the attention of 
the tyro that the reckless sacrifice of a pawn in the beginning of a game 
is fatal, in particular situations ; while, on the other hand, the judicious 
gambit leads to fortune. Numerous games by fine players illustrate 
this. 

With a rook's pawn you cannot win^ if your opponent is able to move 
his king into the comer to \N4iich the pawn is advancing. Not to incum* 
ber you with instructions, we will suppose the white king to advance in 
front of his rook's pawn, and the black king to make toward the comei 
square. If the black can, by any means, get into the comer, the white 
must defend his pawn or lose it — and the game is drawn. But even with- 
out attaining that position, the single king can draw the game by stale- 
mate. 

Take the pawn, however, on the next square : 

White. Black. 

K. at K. B. 6th. K. at K. Kt. sq* 

P. at K. Kt. 6th. 
Now if white plays first he wins ; if black begins, the game is drawn : 9, g,^ 

1 Pawn advances. X K. to K. R.'s 2d. 

2 K. to B.'s 7th. a K. to K. R.'s 3d. 

3 P. queens, and wins. 
Black begins : 

Black. Whita. 

1 K. to B.'s square. i P. checks. 

2 K. to Kt.'s sq. 



500 CHESS. 

If the white king now moves to knight's sixth square, black draws by 
stalemate. If white moves elsewhere he loses the pawn, and draws the 
game. Therefore, in this position, it would seem that the single king 
cannot be beaten. It is always important to gain the opposition ; that 
Is, to play your king opposite to your opponent's king. Thus, suppose, 
instead of giving check on the seventh square, the white king had moved, 
tnen he might win if his opponent made one false move. 

With the pawn on bishop's sixth, and the king in front or beside him, 
you must win against a single king, wherever the latter may be placed, 
because he cannot prevent your going to queen. And so, also, of the 
king or queen's file. The following may be taken as an unquestionable 
axiom in Chess : When the player of a pawn (other than the rook's 
pawn) is able to move his king in front of his pawn on the sixth square^ 
he must win^ whether he have the move or not. It is scarcely necessary 
to illustrate this. Let the student place the pieces, and exemplify the 
fact for himself. 

But take one other position. 

White. Black. 

K. at K. B.'s 4th. K, at K. B.*s ^ 

P. at K.'s 3ci 

The winning of this game depend:* on tne first move. If the white be* 
gins, the game is drawn, as the pawn cannot advance to the eighth square 
without either being taken or giving stalemate ; but if the black begins, 
che white is able to keep the opposition, and queen his pawn. Thus : 

Black. White. 

1 K. to his 3 sq. f K. to his 4 sq. 

« K. to B. 3. 2 K. to Q. 5. 

3 K. to B. 4. 3 P. to K. 4 (ch.) 

4K. toB.3. 4K.toQ. 6. 

5 K. to B. 2. 5 P, advances. 

6 K. to his sq, 6 K. to his 6. 

7 K. to Q. sq. 7 K. to K. B. 7. 

And black cannot be prevented from queening his pawn and winning. 

Two pawns against one ought to win ; but many instances of drawn 
games occur in play, in consequence of the player with the superior force 
neglecting to keep t)- opposition. Let the young player study Hert 
Szen's famous propos y .^n. 



CHESS. ^01 

POSITION OF THE PIECES. 

White. Black. 

K« on his Q.'s sq. K. on his own sq. 

Ps. on Q. B.'s, Q. Kt.'s. Ps. on K. B.'s, K. Kt.'s, 
and Q. R.'s 2d sqs. and K. R/s 2d sqs. 

The player who moves first wins by force. 

OPENINGS OF GAMES. 

The various modes of attack and defense in the openings of games 
are known by their several names, — as the king's knight's opening, the 
king's bishop's opening, the king's gambit, the queen's gambit, and irregu- 
lar openings. Each of these are again subdivided. For instance, in the 
king's gambit we have the Cunningham, the Salvio, the Cochrane, the 
Muzio, the Allgaier, king's bishop's, and king's knight's Gambits, besides 
the king's rook's pawn, and one or two less practiced openings. 

THE KING'S GAMBIT. 

The word gambit is derived from an Italian term used in wrestling, 
where one player gives his opponent a temporary advantage^ in order the 
more successfully to trip him up. Thus the sacrifice of a pawn at the 
second or third move is termed the gambit. The king's gambit proper, 
or king's knight's gambit, is thus brought about. The first player moves 
pawn to king's fourth square ; his opponent answers by the like move, 
when the second move of the first player is pawn to king's bishop's 
fourth. The taking of the pawn constituted the gambit. If, instead of 
taking the pawn, the second player advances, the game is then known as 
the *' gambit refused.'* The regular defense to the king's gambit is as 
follows : 

White. Black. 

X P. to K. 4 I P. to K. 4 

2 P. to K. B, ^ 2 P. takes P. 

3 K. Kt. to B. 3 3 P. to K. Kt. 4 

This last move of the black is generally allowed to be the best he can 
adopt, or he may play P. to Q. 4, when white answers by taking the 
pawn ; or he may play — 

3 P. to K. B. 4 

4 P. takes P. 4 P. to Q. 4 

5 P. to Q. 4 5 Q. B. takes P. 

6 Q. B. takes P. 6 K. Kt. to B. 3 



502 CffESS. 

And from this point the game is considered even. Or the player may 
castle at his fifth move in place of the above, v^rhich still leaves the game 
even. This opening leaves all the game before each player. 

In order to exemplify this opening— in which the first player offers his 
pawn at the second move — this short game is presented. 

ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE KING'S GAMBIT. 

White. Black. 

1 P. to K.'s 4 1 P. to K.'s 4 

2 P. to K. B.'s 4 « P. takes P. 

3 K.'s Kt. to B.'s 3 3 P. to K. Kt.'s 4 

4 K.'s B. to Q.'s B. 4 4 B. to K. Kt.'s 3 

5 Castles 5 P. to K. R.'s 3 

6 P. to Q.'s 4 6 P. to Q.'s 3 

7 P. to Q.'s B. 3 7 P. to Q. B.'s 3 

8 Q. to her Kt.'s 3 8 Q. to K.'s 2 

9 P. to K.'s Kt.'s 3 9 P. K. Kt.'s 5 

10 Q.'s B. takes P. 10 P. takes Kt. 

11 R. takes P. Ii Q.'s B. to K.'s 3 

12 P. to Q.'s 5 12 Q.'s B. to K. Kt.'s 5 

13 P. takes Q.'s B.'s P. 13 B. takes R. 

14 P. takes Kt.'s P. 14 Q. takes K.'s P. 

15 P. takes R. (becom. a Q.) 15 Q. takes Q. 

16 B. takes K.'s B.'s P. (ch.) 16 K. to B.'s sq. 

17 B. takes Kt. 17 R. takes B. 

18 B. takes Q.'s P. (ch.) 18 K. to K.'s sq. 

19 Q. to K.'s 6 (ch.) 19 K. to Q.'s sq. 

20 Q. to K.'s 7 (ch.) 20 K. to Q.'s B.'s sq. 

21 Q. to Q.'s B.'s 7 (mate) 

The following are the principal debuts adopted by Staunton, Morphy 
und the most celebrated players. These again are largely subdivided : 

1. The King's Gambit, and its varieties, in which the king's bishop's 
j>awn is advanced two squares by the first player at his second move. 

2. The King's Bishop's Opening, by which name we distinguish all 
those games in which the first player brings out his king's bishop at his 
second move. 

3. The King's Knight's Opening, which gives the name to aH 
games in which the first player advances his king's knight at the second 
aiove. 



CHESS, 503 

4. The Queen's Gambit, in which the queen's bishop's pawn is ad 
iranced two squares by the first player at his second move. 

5. The Gambits of the King's Knight, in which the knight is 
sacrificed by the first player for the sake of obtaining a good position ; 
and 

6. Irregular Openings, in which division may be included all the 
openings not founded on one or the other of the above modes of play. 

Having already said something about the king's gambit, we will pro- 
jeed to a brief consideration of 

THE KING'S BISHOP'S OPENING. 

For the sake of uniformity, we will suppose the white always plays 
first, the attack and defense being the same whichever side begins. The 
game then commences thus : 

White. Black. 

1 P. to K. 4 I P. to K. 4 

The advance of king's pawn two squares is the very best mode of opening 
the game for both players, because it allows queen and king's bishop to 
be brought into play. The second move of the white is — 

2 K. B. to Q. B. 4 2 K. B. to Q. B. 4 

which black answers by a like move, acknowledged to be the best de- 
fense. In this position of the game, the bishops attack the adverse 
king's bishop's pawn, his weakest point, and each player is able to castle 
as soon as he has moved his knight. As the next move, white sometimes 
plays queen's pawn one square : this is bad, because it confines the king's 
bishop. The best move is queen's bishop's pawn one square, thus : 

3 P. to Q. B. 3 3 K. Kt. to B. 3 

This last move of the black defends his king's bishop's pawn from white 
queen's attack ; and the white's move of the queen's bishop's pawn affords 
another outlet for her queen. The black might have moved his queen to 
the king's 2d, his queen's pawn one, or queen's pawn two squares, with 
equal advantage. But white now plays — 

4 P. to Q. 4 4 P. takes P. 

5 P. takes P., and attacks the Bishop. 



504 CHESS. 

White has now two pawns in the centre of the board. It would be dan* 
gerous for Black to take king's pawn, as White might advance his queen 
to king's bishop's 3d, and threaten mate. Black, therefore, either retires 
his bishop or gives check with it. Suppose he moves — 

White. Black. 

S B. to Q. Kt. 3, 

White replies by — 

6 Q. Kt. to B. 3, and 6 Castles. 

White now defends his king's pawn, and prevents Black from advancing 
his queen's pawn two squares. If, instead of castling. Black should take 
king's pawn, it is not well for White to change knights directly, as that 
would allow Black to advance queen's pawn two squares. The next best 
move for the White, supposing his game to have proceeded thus far, is : 

7 K. Kt. to K 2 7 P. to Q. B. 3 

White now is enabled to castle, and Black may be tempted to take king's 
pawn. From this point White has the best of the game. He moves — 
8 K. B. to Q. 3, to avoid changing K. P. for Q. P., and then, whatever 
Black does in reply, "VS^hite has a very strong position. But we must con- 
sider for a moment how this advantage has been gained. Instead of re- 
tiring his bishop at the fifth move, Black should have given check, when 
White must have covered with his knight, or bishop, and Black would 
have gained by the exchange, or obliged his opponent to lose his queen's 
knight's pawn. It was probably weak play for Black to bring out his 
knight at his third move, instead of moving as suggested. Suppose 
Black had adopted the other mode of play. We go back to his fiftk 

move : 

White. Black. 

5 K. B. to Q. Kt. 5 (ch.) 

White interposes his knight or bishop, suppose— 

6 Q. B. to Q. 2 6 B. takes B. (ch,) 

7 Q. takes B. 

Black now castles, and the game is even. 

KING'S KNIGHT'S OPENING. 

The consideration of other defenses to the king's knight's attack ai c- 
now shown. One of the worst modes of defending the kin^^'s pawn \p 
king's bishop's pawn one square. 



CHESS, 505 

White Black. 

1 P. to K. 4 I P. to K. 4 

2 K. Kt. to B. 3 2 P. to K. B. 3 

3 Kt. takes P. 3 P. takes Kt. 

It is now evident that a knight is to be for a pawn ; but the continuation 
is worse and White now plays — 

4 Q. to K. R. 5 (ch.) 

Black's only answer is to move his king, or to interpose his king*s knight's 
pawn. If he does the first, White's queen takes the pawn, gives check, 
and wins ; if he moves 

4 K. Kt. P. one sq., 

then queen takes pawn, gives check, and takes the king's rook : 

5 Q. takes P. (ch.) 5 K. B. or Kt. 

6 Q. takes R. interposes. 

White has now a rook and pawn for a knight, and decidedly the best of 
the game. 

Now, going back to Black's second move, suppose he defends his king's 
pawn by a counter-attack thus : 

1 P. to K. 4 I P. to K. 4 

2 K. Kt. to B. 3 2 Q. Kt. to B. 3 

Here the game is even, and White moves out his bishop — 

3 K. B. to Q. B. 4, 

and then White has the advantage. 

We thus see that the true answer to the king's knight's attack is 
queen's knight to queen's bishop's third. Another variation of Black's 
defense is as follows : 

1 P. to K. 4 1 P. to K. 4 

2 K. Kt. to B. 3 2 Q. to K. B. 3 

3 K. B. to Q. B. 4. 3 Q. to K. Kt. 3. 

Now, if knight takes pawn, Black queen takes king's pawn, gives check, 
and wins the knight ; if White defends Black's check with his queen, 
White takes queen's bishop's pawn, and wins the bishop, or changes 
queens and gets the best of the game. Or, if White queen retires to hef 
square, Black can again give check. 



5o6 crf£SS, 

If we examine another mode of defense for Black, the only objection 
is that it confines tiie king's bishop. The first two moves of the White 
are the same as before : 

White. Black. 

1 P. to K. 4 I P. to K. 4 

2 K. Kt. to Be 3 2 P. to Q. 3 

3 P. to Q. 4 ,% P. takes P. 

4 Q. takes P. 4 Q. Kt. to B. 3 

attacking White's queen. W hite attacks in return — 

5 Q. B. to K. Kt. 5, 

which Black replies to by — 

5 K. B. to K. # 

6 Q. to her square 6 Q. Kt. to K. 4 

7 Kt. takes Kt. 7 B. takes B. 

8 Q. to her 5 8 Q. P. takes Kt. 

9 Q. takes K. P. (ch.) 9 Q. B. interposes. 

10 K. B. gives check, which is zmswered by the advance of 
Black's pawn. 

And from this point White also has the best of the game, and we dis- 
cover that, after all, the true defense to the king's knight's attack is the 
advance of queen's knight to bishop's third square. 

Here is a different mode of defense to be adopted by Black in answer 
to the advance of K. Kt. to B. 3. Hitherto, the only safe reply is Q. 
Kt. to B. 3 ; let us see what comes of the move, known as Petroff's 
Attack — 

White. Black. 

1 P. to K. 4 I P. to K. 4 

2 K. Kt. to B. 3 2 K. Kt. to B. 3 

3 P. to Q. 4 

This lost move of the White was first adopted by Petroff, a famous 
Russian player. It is safe enough ; but not, perhaps, quite so good as 
taking the pawn. Black defends his position by moving : 

3 K. P. takes P. (best) 

and White then advances king's pawn one square, and attacks the 
knight : 



CHESS. 507 

White. Black. 

4 P. to K. 5. 

Black then either advances with his knight to king's fifth, or moves his 
queen to king's second, so as to prevent White's pawn from taking the 
knight, which he cannot now do, as he would leave his king in check. 

Suppose, then, he moves : 

4 Q. to K. 2 
the game thus proceeds : 

5 Q. to K 2 5 Kt. to Q. 4 

6 Kt. takes P. 6 P. to Q. 3 

7 P. takes P. 

and attacks the queen. Black's best play now is to change queens — 

7 Q. takes Q. (ch.) 
8 B. takes Q. 8 K. B. takes P. 

and the game is even. 

VARIATION I. 

Moves as before. 

4Kt. toK. 5 
5 Kt. takes P. 

This is the best move for the white ; though he may safely move king's 
bishop to queen's third, and attack the knight. 

5 P. to Q. 3 

Black may move king's bishop to queen's bishop's fourth, and attack the 
white knight, or queen's pawn two squares with equal safety. 

6 P. takes P. 6 K. B. takes P. ; 

or black may take the pawn with his queen, and so prevent the ^b«ie 
knight from moving, without endangering a change of queens. 

7 K. B. to Q. B. 4 7 K. B. to Q. B. 4 

8 Q. B. to K. 3 8 Castles 

9 Castles 

and the game is again even. 

VARIATION II. 

3 Kt. takes P. 

4 K. B. to Q. 3 4 P. to Q. 4. 

5 Kt. takes P. 

and from this point the opening offers no advantage to white. 



5o8 CHESS. 

If black, in answer to white's second move, advance aueen's pawn two 
squares, he has rather the worst of it, and will be obliged to sacrifice a 
knight. This, however, is no great disadvantage to a fine player in this 
opening, as was proved by Mr. Cochrane some years since. 

Before dismissing this fine opening, it will be well to examine a few 
remaining methods of defense left to the second player. Each player 
having advanced his king's pawn two squares, the first moves his king's 
knight to bishop's third — 

White. Black. 

1 P. to K. 4 I P. to K. 4 

2 K. Kt. to B. 3 

We have seen the effect of black replying by moving pawn to king's 
bishop's third — in the loss of the game. The advance of either of his 
centre pawns we have also seen to be a loss, or at least no gain, to the 
black. The counter-attack by queen's knight to bishop's third we found 
to result in advantage ; and the advance of queen to king's second we saw 
confined the king's bishop. Other ways of defending king's pawn have 
been examined and found to be defective. But now, instead of defending 
the pawn, suppose black determines to make an independent attack. The 
opening is as usual — 

White. Black. 

1 P. to K. 4 I P. to K. 4 

2 K. Kt. to B. 3 

and now black moves — 

2 P. to Q. B. 3. 

We can now play a few moves of an actual game in illustrastion of this 
move of the black — 

3 Kt. takes K. P. 3 Q to K. R. 5 

4 Q. to K. B. 3 4 K. Kt. to B. 3 

5 P. to Q. 3 5 Q. to K. R. 4 

6 Q. B. to K. B. 4 , 6 P. to Q. 3 

7 K. Kt. to Q. B. 4 7 Q. takes Q. 

8 P. takes Q. 8 P. to Q. 4 

White has now a double pawn ; and by his last move, black attacks 
king's knight, and obtains a very strong position. Black has biFoken up 



CHESS. 509 

white's centre pawns and has the best of the game. For, if white attacks 
king's knight in return, he still has no advantage, for black can move his 
knight, and still retain his position. In the end, white will have to move 
his king without casthng, or else consent to lose his queen's rook's pawn^ 
or double another pawn on the exchange of knight for bishop. 

We can try another reply to white's second move. 

If black replies by moving king's knight to bishop's third, it simply 
leads to a drawn game between even players. In moving queen's knight 
to bishop's third square, black has not only the advantage of a counter 
attack, but he also defends his centre. It will nearly always be found ad- 
vantageous for the defending party to castle early in the game, or he will 
have to move his king : par exemple^ in the regular GIUOCO Piano of the 
Italians : 

White. Black. 

1 P. to K. 4 I P. to K 4 

2 K. Kt. to B. 3 2 Q. Kt. to B. 3 

3 K. B. to Q. B. 4 3 K, B. to Q. B. 4 

4 P. to Q. B. 3 4 K. Kt. to B. 3 

5 P. to Q. 4 5 P. takes P. 

6 P. to K. 5 6 K. Kt. to K. (weak) 

7 K. B. to Q. s 

This is the best move for the white, as it forks the two knights. If black 
now takes pawn with pawn^ white must exchange pawns, and then black 
can either give check with the bishop, or take king's bishop's pawn with 
his knight, and fork the queen and rook. Therefore, from this poinc, 
black has the best of the game. But if, instead of taking the pawn, black 
moves — 

7 Kt. takes K. B. P. 

The white king must take tlw> knight or lose his rook. He takes tht 
knight— 

8K. takes Kt., 

Then black takes pawn w;th pawn, and discovers check with his bishop. 
White king has now three squares to which to retreat. His safest place 
is, perhaps, king's knight's third square. Well, then, the deduction I 
draw from this examination is, that the best answer to the king's knight's 
attack is queen's knight to bishop's third ; in fact, the GlUOCO PlANO, to 
be followed, on white advancing queen's bishop's pawn one square, by 
20 



5IO CHESS. 

king's knight to bishop's third, or queen to king's second. In fine, the 
regular result of this opening is a safe and even game. 

THE EVANS GAMBIT. 

One of the most popular variations of the Giuoco piano is known by 
the above name, it having been played by Captain W. D. Evans, of the 
royal navy. It is as follows : 

White. Black. 

1 P. to K. 4 I P. to K. 4 

2 K. Kt. to B. 3 2 Q. Kt. to B. 3 

3 K. B. to Q. B. 4 3 K. B. to Q. B. 4 

4 P. to Q. Kt. 4. 

This last move of the White constitutes the gambit. The sacrifice ot 
this pawn — the least valuable on the board — is believed to result in ad- 
vantage to the player. Indeed, on the first introduction of this gambit, it 
was thought to be irresistible. What now has Black to do ? If he re- 
tires his bishop, White has the advantage ; for he can either support the 
gambit pawn or attack the knight. If Black takes the pawn, he allows 
his bishop to be drawn off the diagonal by which he attacks White's weak- 
est point — his king's bishop's pawn — and opens two important diagonals 
for White's queen's bishop, besides enabling the first player to castle 
in safety. If, on the other hand. Black takes the pawn with his knight, 
you attack him with queen's bishop's pawn, and he must retire to his 
former place (as best), and you have a strong attack. But if, when knight 
takes pawn, you should take Black's king's pawn with your knight, you 
lose the game by your adversary moving his queen to king's bishop's 
third. The best move for Black is, notwithstanding present disad- 
rantage : 

4 B. takes P. 

and the game then proceeds with evident advantage to the White : 

5 P. to Q. B. 3 5 B. to Q. B. 4 (best) 

White usually castles as his next move, but some writers recommend 
the advance of queen's pawn two squares, attacking the bishop ; but it i? 
questionable whether this is the strongest attack. I prefer to castle. 

eCattlet. 



CHESS, 5 1 1 

If, now, the Black bishop moves to queen's third, White answers ti^ 
queen's pawn two squares. But suppose the Black knight to moYe ; 

White. Black. 

6K.Kt.toB. $ 

then Whhe moves : 

7 Kt. to K. Kt 5 

and Black : 

7 Castles; 

and White has the better game. 

But if Black, at his fifth move, retires his bishop to rook> foj*rth^ 
White castles, and immediately afterward advances queen's pawn ^wn 
squares, and has a strong position. 

A good defense for the Black is the following : 

Moves from i to 5 as before. 

White. Black. 

5 B. to R. 4 

6 Castles 6 K. Kt. to B. 3 

7 P. to Q. 4 7 P. to Q. 3 

8 Q. to Q. Kt. 3 8 Castles; 

amd White has still the best game. 

VARIATION. 
Moves from i to 5 as before. 

5 B. to Q. R. 4 

6 Castles 6 P. to Q. 3 

7 P. to Q. 4 7 P. takes P. 

8 P. takes P. 8 B. to Q. Kt. 3 (best; 

White's best play is : 

9 Q. B. to Q. Kt. 2 9 K. Kt. to B. 3 

10 P. to K. 5 (best) 10 P. takes P. (best) 

11 Q. B. to R. 3 II Q. B. to K. 3 

which fully answers White's attack, and gives Black the best o* hf 
game. 



512 CHESS. 

The very best way of illustrating this interesting opening is to play as 
actual game, and show the youthful student the reasons of the moveSv 
The first five moves being the same as before : 

White* Black. 

6 Castles 6 P, to Q. 3* 

7 P. to Q. 4 7 P. talces P. 

8 P. takes P. 8 B, to Q. Kt. 3 

9 Q. B. to Q. Kt. 2 9 Q. B. pins the KU 
xo K. B. pins Q. KtJ to P. to R. 3 

11 B. to Q. R. 4 J ti P. to Q. 4 

12 P. takes P. 12 Q. takes P. 

13 Q. Kt. to B. 3 13 B. takes K. Kt 

14 Kt. takes Q. I4 B. takes Q. 

15 Kt. takes K. B. 15 P. takes Kt 

16 Q. R. takes B. x6 K, B. P. one 

17 Q. P. advances 17 Doubled P. one 

18 P. takes Kt 18 P. takes B. 

19 P. takes P. 19 R. to Kt. sq. 

20 K. R. chs. 20 K. to B. 2 

21 Q. R. chs. «x K. to Kt 3. 
22Q. B. toR. 3 

and White wins easily. 

It will be seen that Black's sixth move was weak, resulting in a rapid 
exchange of pieces, and eventual loss of the game. 

QUEEN'S BISHOP'S PAWN'S OPENING. 

This opening was pronounced unsound by the great Philidor, but more 
modem players have thought fit to call his judgment in question. It is, 
in fact, though not a very brilliant ijfe'^^/, a perfectly safe opening for the 
first player, and may sometimes be adopted with advantage. The fol« 
lowing are the moves. They are taken from a game played by Mr. 
Morphy in France : 

* Instead of K. Kt. to B. 3. 

t Weak play. K, Kt. to B. 3, as in the former p:ame, would have been better. 
X Might have played Q. to Q. Kt. 3, which Black would have answered \/9 
Q. Kt. to R. 4, and eventually have secured a better game. 
I If White moves queen's pawn one square, K. to K. B. square. 



UiESS, 513 

White. Black. 

i P. to K. 4 I P. to K. 4 

8 P. to Q. B. 3* 3 K. Kt. to B. 3t 

3 P. to Q. 4t 3 Kt. takes P. 

4 Q. P. takes P. 4 K. B. to Q. B. 4? 

5 Q. to K. Kt. 4| 5 Kt. takes K. B. P.f 

6 Q. takes K. Kt. P.*» 6 K. R. to B. sq. 

7 Q. B. to K. Kt. 5tt 7 P. interposes tt 

8 P. takes P.§§ 8 R. takes P. 

9 B. takes R. and wins. 

If tills game is played from Black's fifth move the latter will t^l^ K. ^ 
P. and g:ive check. It will be found that White has still the best gamCc 
Or if, for Black's fifth move, he advances his Q. P. two squares, he wiT 
discover that White has the game notwithstanding. It is not necesS6f> 
that we should give the moves. 

KING'S KNIGHT'S GAMBIT. 

In a former page was explained the nature of the king's gambit, 
which, it will be recollected, turns on the sacrifice of the king's bishop's 
pawn at the first player's second move, in order to break up his oppo- 
nent's central position. After sacrificing the gambit pawn, the first 
player moves king's knight to bishop's third square, and so Ofi. The 
opening known as the king's knight's gambit, is a variation of the king's 

* This move gives the name to the opening. 

tThe safest answer. If Black had mov^cd K, B. P. two squares, White would 
have taken the pawn, and gained a slight advantage. At present Bl?^:k's Kt. 
attacks White's K. P. 

X If Black takes K. P. with Kt., yovL l-«ve a pawn fa exchange, or advanct 
/our Q. P. and obtain a strong position. 

§ A weak move. The better play would have been to have advaii..^ Q. P. 
two squares, 

U The best mov« ; for though Black's K. B. is attacking, your queen h in a 
strong position. 

^ Attacking his rook and queen. 

** Black cannot now take the rook without danger. 

ft Attacking the Black queen. If Black interposes his bishop WllHe ©«• 
changes bishops, and afterward takes Kt. with his K. 

Xt The best move under the circumstances. 

^ Good. If now Black Ukes the R « White checks with hM P<^ M* winf 
the Q. 





Black, 


I p. 


toK.4 


2 P. 


takes P. I ♦ 


3 P. 


toK. Kt. 4t • 


4K. 


Kt, P. advances t 


5 P. 


to K. R. 4 1 


6 K. 


R. tohis2^H» 


7 P. 


to Q. 3 ft 


8K. 


B. P. advances 



514 CITESS. 

gambit, in which the first player advances the king's rook's pawn befow 
bringing out his king's bishop. The game opens thus : 

White. 
2 P. to K. 4 

2 P. to K. B. 4* 

3 K. Kt. to B. 3 

4 P. to K. R. 4 

5 K. Kt. toK. s§ 

6 K. B. to Q. B. 4 If 

7 P. to Q. 4 
8Kt.toQ.3» 
9 P. to K. Kt. 3. 

and White now has the best of the game. If White attacks queen with 
bishop, black checks with pawn, and weakens your position. From its 
very nature, however, this may be considered a lost game for the White. 

KING'S ROOK'S PAWN'S GAMBIT. 
This is an opening seldom adopted, but it is interesting as exhibiting 
another variety in our noble game. It commences thus : 

White, Black, 

1 P. to K. 4 s P. to K, 4 

9 P. to K. B, 4 3 P, takes P. 

We now come to the variation from the king's gambit, from which 

♦ As in the king's gambit. 

t Supporting the doubled pawn. 

X Better than taking his pawn, as it obliges White to move his Kt. If Black 
Had moved his K. B. P., White would have taken K. Kt. P., sacrificed his Kt., 
and afterward given check with his queen on K. R. 5, and speedily won the 
fame. 

$ Kt. to his fifth constitutes the Allgaier gambit, which we shall consider 
hereafter. 

\ The best move for Black. 

^ Threatening K. B. P. with Kt. or B.; in either case disagreeable for Black. 

** Or Black can play his Kt. to R. 3, and so defend his K. B. P. 

ft Von Der Laza suggests the advance of P. to K. B. 6, as better play, as then 
Black probably obtains the Kt. 

XX Kt. obliged to retreat, or he might move to his 6th, in which ca^e, if ? 
look him. White would take K. Kt. with his B., and attack hit R. 



CHESS. 515 

opening: it derives its name. Instead of White playing king's knigbt le 
bishop's third, he moves : 

White. MMk. 

3 P. toK, R. 4; 

this move not only prevents Black from giving check with his queen, bat 
it also disables him from sui^)orting the gambit pawn. Black's best pUjf 
then is : 

3 ICatoiCa 

attacking the advanced pawn. To support his position, Whits plajft s 

4 K. Kt. to B. 3. 

It is dearly waste for Black now to taki tht pawSy so he plays t 

4F.I0QLJ 

whk:h White answers by 

5 P. to Q. 4« 

If Black now replies by moving his king's knight^s pawn two squares^ 

White takes pawn with pawn ; and if he recaptures pawn with bishop, 
you answer by advancing king's knight's pawn one square, and you havt 
a strong position. Black's best play, therefore, is to pin the knight : 

5 Q. B. to K. Kt. 5. 

White's best play is now to take the gambit pawn, for if he moves queen^ 
knight to queen's 2, he obstructs the advance of his bishop, and allows 
his antagonist to move out his knight and castle : 

6 Q. B. takes P. 6 B. takes R. P. (ch.) 

Now, if you take bishop with rook (you cannot take it with knight, oi 
you lose your queen), he takes knight with bishop, and attacks youf 
queen. Your better play, therefore, is to pudi on your pawn, and attack 
the bishop; 

7 P. to K. Kt. 3 ; 

this obliges black to retire his bishop or lose it. He playt ! 

7 K. B. to KL 4* 

S B. takes B. 



5l6 . CHESS. 

Black can now either take bishop or knight. If he takes the bishop^ 
be forces a change of queens ; he therefore takes the knight* 

White. Black. 

8 B. takes Kt. 
This obliges queen to take bishop. 

9 Q. takes B. 9 Q. takes B. 

White's next move is to bring out his queen's knight to prevent black 
giving him check with his queen on his bishop's eighth, 

10 Q. Kt. to B. 3. 

From this point white has a good attacking position ; for he can mova 
out his king's bishop and threaten mate ; but this black prevents by ad- 
vancing his king's bishop's pawn : 

10 P. to K. B. 3, 

White may now rapidly bring the game to an issue : 

11 Q. to K. R. 5 (ch.) II P. to K. Kt, 3, 

12 Q. takes Q. 12 P. takes Q, 

13 K. B. to Q. B. 4 13 Q. Kt. to B. 3 
Z4 Castles on Q. side. 14 Czistles. 

15 Q. P. advances. 15 Kt. to Q. R. 4, 

16 B. to K. 2. 

Now, whatever black does, white has the advantage of position, and 
9ught to win. Let the student play out the game with a competent op* 
ponent from this point. 

Before dismissing this opening, other defenses should be studied, 

which, though powerful, depends for its success on the mode of attack 

adopted by the first player. Either color may move first, but for the 

sake of uniformity, writers on Chess have assumed that white always has 

the first move. The first three moves for each player are the same as 

before* 

White. Black. 

1 P. to K. 4 1 P. to K. 4 

2 P. to K. B. 4 2 P. takes P. 

3 P. to K. R. 4 3 K. B. to K. a 

Now white varies the attack. Instead of moving out his knight to dft« 
fend the advanced pawn, he moves i 

4 Q. to K. Kt. 4 ; 
W which black replies by 



\ 



CHESS, 517 

White. Black. 

4 K. Kt. to B. 3, 

attacking the queen ; or queen's pawn two squares, which we will exam«- 
ine presently. Presuming the knight to be brought out, white takes 
knight's pawn, which is weak, as we shall see presently, or retires his 
queen. 

5 Q. takes K. Kt. P. 5 R, attacks Q. 

The queen must now retire to her rook's 6th, or make a fearful sacri» 
uce. She moves : 

6 Q. to R. 6 6 K. B. to Q. 3 

7 P. to K. R. 5 7 R- to K. Kt. 5 

8 P. to K. 5 

attacking bishop and knight. The best play for black is now to take the 
pawn, by which he secures a fine position and ought to win the game. 
If white now attacks the rook with his king's bishop, black can advance 
the gambit pawn. If white takes the pawn, black threatens his oppo- 
nent's queen by moving first to his queen's 3d, and afterward to his own 
square. We see, then, that this attack is bad for the white. We must 
try another game. Instead of taking king's knight's pawn with queen, 
white, as his fifth move, takes the gambit pawn : 

White. Black. 

5 Q. takes doubled P. 5 Castles. 

6 P. to Q. 3 6 P. to Q. 4 

7 K. P. advances, 

attacking the knight. 7 Kt. to R. 4^ 

attacking the queen, who is obliged to retire. Her best move is, perhaps^ 

8 Q. to K. B. 2. 8 P. to K. B. 3. 

White must take the offered pawn, and black has the better game. 

We will now try the variation from white's fourth move. Instead of 
moving out his knight, black advances his queen's pawn two squares, 
which, at this fKDint of the game, is considered the best move. I-et th« 
student replace the pieces, and play moves one to three as before. 

4 Q. to K. Kt. 4 4 P. to Q. 4 

5 Q. takes K. P, 5 P. takes P. 

6 Q. takes P. 



5i8 CHESS. 

Now black attacks with his knight. 

White. Black. 

6 K. Kt to B. Je 
and queen is obliged to retreat. She moves : 

7Q. to K. B. 3 (best); 

for, if queen gives check, black interposes his bishop, and obliges her to 
move again. And we know how useful is the adage, ** avoid useless 
checks.'* 

7 Castles. 

8 K. B. to Q. B. 4. 8 Q. B. to Kt. 5, 

attacking the queen, which must be moved again. She therefore takes a 
pawn and attacks queen's rook. 

9 Q. takes Q. Kt. P. 9 Q. to Q. 3. 

White cannot now take the castle, for black threatens mate by moving vo 
king's knight 6, and giving check. White, therefore, must come back into 
her own quarters : 

10 Q. to Q. Kt. 3. 

This prevents black's threatened move. 

10 Q. Kt. to B. 3, 

threatening to attack queen and bishop at his next move. From this 
point black has decidedly the best game. From all which we deduce the 
fact that the best moves in this opening, for the white, are those given in 
the previous page. Play a few rapid moves, and try this : 

11 K. Kt. to B. 3 II B. to K. 3 

12 B. takes B. 12 Q. (or P.) takes B, 

13 Q. takes Q. 13 P. takes Q. 

14 Castles, etc., etc. 

THE ALLGAIER GAMBIT. 

This fine opening turns on the sacrifice of a knight in exchange for two 
pawns. It was invented by the great German player, from whom it has 
derived its name. It is, as can be seen, a variation of the king's gambit. 
By it the first player acquires a strong attack ; but if he is not very care- 
ful he soon loses any advantage he may have gained. Let us play a 
^ame by way of trial. 



CI/£SS. 519 

White. Black. 

1 P. to K. 4 1 P. to K. 4 

2 P. to K. B. 4 2 P. takes P. 

So far the king's gambit. Now comes the variation — 

3 K. Kt. to B. 3 3 P. to K. Kt, 4 

4 P. to K. R. 4 4 P. advances 

If pawn had taken pawn, knight would have retaken it, and White wouM 
have had the best of the game. If instead of advancing the knight pawn, 
Black had defended it with king's bishop's pawn, White would attack with 
his queen, and speedily induce a series of exchanges. White now plays— 

5 K. Kt. to his 5th 5 P. to K. R. 4 

This move of the white constitutes the Allgaier gambit, the knight having 
moved here purposely to be taken if attacked by either pawn. Black's is 
a better move than attacking the knight with either of the pawns, as it 
prevents the queen from taking the king's knight's pawn. 

6 K. B. to Q. B. 4 6 K. Kt. to R, 3 

defending the king's bishop's pawn, 

7 P. to Q. 4 7 P, to K, B. 3 

attacking the knight, 

8 Q. B. takes P. 8 P. takes Kt. ; 

this loss of the knight constituting the gambit. Now White can either 
take pawn with pawn or with bishop, and attack the queen. The best 
play is — 

9 P. takes P., 

which obliges Black to move his knight, or lose H. He plays — 

9 K. to K. B. 2 

If knight move to his own square, White moves queen's bishop to kingib 
5, attacking the rook. 

10 P. advances, 

and attacks the knight. What now must Black do to defend this rather 
bold attack ? He plays, as his best move, 



520 CUfESS. 

White, Black. 

xo Kt. to his 4 

11 Q. to Q. 2 

This is, psrhaps, better than attackmg rook with bishop ; but the iattet 

move defends the king's pawn. 

II Kt. takes K. P. 
land attacks the queen. 

12 B. to his 7 (ch.) S2 K. to K. 2, 

Black's only move. 

13 Q. B. to K. Kt. 5 (ch.) 

Black must now interpose his knight, or take the bishop. He plays, as 
best- 
is Kt. interposes 

14 Q. to K. 3 (ch.) 14 K. to Q. 3, 

his only move. 

15 P. to Q. B. 4. 

This is admitted to be the best move for the white, as it restricts the 
black king. Allgaier plays queen to king 5, and gives check in place of 
last move, and afterward takes knight and attacks both queen and rook. 
Black's best move is to advance his queen's bishop's pawn. 

15 P. toQ.B. 4 
16O. toK. 5(ch.) . 16K. toQ. B. 3 

17 K. B. to Q. 5 (ch.) 

Now, if Black takes bishop vdth knight, he loses his queen. He there* 

fore plays— 

17 K. to Q. Kt. 3 

18 P. to Q. R. 4 18 P. to Q. R. 4 

19 B. takes Kt. 

Now whatever Black does, he must lose the game. Let my readers play 
it out from this point, and communicate the result. From the 15th move 
the principal writers on Chess say that Black ought to be beaten in five 
or six moves at most. 

It must not be supposed that a sufficient knowledge of this opening can 
be acquired by mere reading. It must be practiced over and over again, 
till the student has thoroughly conquered the secret of its strength, and 
the best mode of defense to its attack. 



CHESS, 



THE MUZIO GAMBIT. 



521 



This opening is a variation of the well-known king's gambit, and turns 
upon the sacrifice of a knight by the first player, in order to obtain a good 
attacking position. This game takes its name from its inventor, Signor 
Muzio, who, says Sarratt, in his translation of the treatise of Salvio on 
the game of Chess (1634), "commonly won it of his adversary, Don 
Geronimo Cascio." This opening has been examined by all the great 
writers and players of our own and the gone-by times ; and the conclu- 
sion generally arrived at is, that the first player exercises a wise discretion 
in making the sacrifice of the knight, and obtains at least an even game. 
Indeed, says Walker, "if we could castle as in Italy, with king at once 
to corner, the Muzio would be a forced won game for the first player," 
that is, presuming the first player could oblige his opponent to take the 
knight, which he cannot. That one little objection -to the Muzio gambit 
can never be overcome ; nevertheless, if the second player be induced to 
attack king's knight with pawn at the fourth move, he can at best only 
hope to obtain a drawn game. To test this, we will play a game in 
which the regular attack is met with the reg^ular defense. Like most 
" regular " things, it is liable to be controverted. 

White. Black. 

1 P. to K. 4 I P. to K. 4 

2 P. to K. B. 4 2 P. takes P. 

This is the regular king's gambit, which is followed by the usual move of 
the knight : 

3 K. Kt. to B. 3 3 P. to K. Kt. 4. 

4 K. B. to Q. B. 4 4 K. Kt. P. advances, 

and attacks the white knight. Now, instead of going back to his square 
iDr moving to queen's 4th, white knight remains to be taken by the pawn. 
White therefore 

5 Castles, 

and offers the knight as a sacrifice, which black accepts, and so the Muzit 
gambit is rendered complete. 

5 P. takes Kt. 

6 Q. takes P. 



J22 



CHESS. 



As a further exemplification of this opening, we present our readers 
with the moves of a game between Mr. Staunton and Mr. Reeves, in 
which the former makes a variation in the attack. Instead of castling at 
his fifth move, the first player advances his queen's pawn two squares, and 
castles at his seventh move. 

White, (Mr. S.) Black, (Mr. R.) 

I P. to K. 4 I P. to K 4 

^ P. to K. B. 4 2 P. takes P. 

/ K. Kt. to B. 3 3 P to K. Kt. 4 

4 K. B. to Q. B. 4 4 K. Kt. P. advances* 

SP. toQ. 4t 5 P. takes Kt. 

6 Q. takes P. 6 K. B. to K. R. 3? 

7 Castles § 7 P. to Q. 4 

8 B. takes Q. P. 8 P. to Q. B. 3 

9 B. takes K. B. P. (ch.) 9 K. takes B. 

10 Q. B. takes P. 10 K. B. takes B.| 

* The advance of the pawn at this position of the game appears to be the best 
thing black can do ; but in the opinion of many players, that advance renders it 
a lost game for the second player. 

t Mr. Lewis, referring to this deviation from the usual way of playing the 
Muzio gambit, says : " The idea of this move occurred to me as far back as 
1817 ; and I then mentioned it to Sarratt, and afterward examined it with Mr. 
Brand, who concurred with me in opinion that the best defense against it was 
playmg queen's pawn two squares also." This move is not, however, the sole 
property of Mr. Lewis, for it is adverted to (as quoted by Mr. Staunton in the 
Chess Player's Chronicle^ in an "^^ Analysis of the Muzio Gambit," published at 
Madras about the same time. It has since been examined by Von Der Lasa, 
Jaenisch, G. Walker, and others, and the general conclusion arrived at is, that 
it is inferior to castling. In Mr. "Walker's Art of Chess-Play^ he shows that the 
•econd player has a good defense, if the first neglects to castle at his fifth move . 
but '' white castling at move five, black must be content, at best, with a drawn 
game." It would seem, then, that the Muzio gambit is a good and safe game 
for the first player. Well, so it is, only it is open to this little objection — that its 
acceptance cannot be forced upon the second player. 

X Better play than defending the pawn with the queen on king's bishop's third, 
from which square she may, and undoubtedly would, be driven by the advance 
of white's king's pawn. 

§ White's attack is now very strong, for black must defend the isolated paws 
•r lose the game in a few moves. 

1 This would appear a needless sacrifice on the part of the black of a good 
working piece ; but if he had not done this, he would have lost his queen of 
bishop at the next move, by white moving bishop, and discovering check. 



CHESS. 523 



White, (Mr. S.) 


Black, (Mr. R.) 


II Q. takes B. (ch.) 


II Kt. interposes T 


12 K. P. advances 


12 Q. Kt. to Q. 5 


13 Q. Kt. to B. 3 


13 K. R. to K. sq. 


14 Q. Kt. toK.4** 


14 K. to Kt. sq. 


15 P. takes Kt. 


15 K. to R. sq. 


16 K. B. P. advances 


16 R. to K. B. sq. 


17 Q. to K. R. 6 


17 Q. to K. 1 


18 Kt. to K. Kt. 5 


18 Kt. to K. B. 3 


19 P. to K. R. 3 


19 Q. B. to Q. 2 


20 R. takes Kt. +t 


20 Q. to K. 6 (ch.) 


21 K. to R. 2 


And Black resign^ 



THE SCOTCH GAMBIT. 

This opening received its present name from the fact that it was great* 
ly practiced in the correspondence match between the London and Edin- 
burgh Clubs some years ago. It is also known as the Queen's Pawn Two 
Opening, and the Central Gambit. But by whatever name it is called, 
the player who adopts it obtains a fine raking attack ; and it has this 
further advantage, that even should it fail, no particular damage is done 
to the first player. It will be seen that this opening is but a variation of 
the Giuoco Piano, and that it results in a perfectly even game. The 
moves are — 

White. Black. 

1 P. to K. 4 I P. to K. 4 

2 K. Kt. to B. 3 2 Q. Kt. to B. 3 

3 P. to Q. 4 

This third move of the first player gives the name to the opening, and 
constitutes the gambit. It is the opinion of most writers that the second 
player must take the pawn or consent to a very bad position. If black 
refuses to take the pawn, white pushes it forward and attacks the knight, 
besides obtaining a capital place in the centre of the board. Even as the 
pieces stand before black makes his second move, white has a fair open 
field before him, with a range for both bishops. Of course black (the 
second player) may either take the pawn with knight or pawn. The best 
play is to take pawn with pawn — 

^ Not the best move. 

** Threatening to give check next move. Black sees that, and moves his 
king. 
+t Of course white could have taken the Knight with either queen or rool» 



5^4 CffESS. 

White. Black. 

3 P« takes P. 

4 K. B. to Q. B. 4 

This is considered better play than taking: pawn with knight, which 
Irould probably lead to a change of pieces, which is needless in all cases 
svrhere no advantage is obtained. The next move of the black is usually 
to give check with the bishop— a sound, but rather risky move — 

4 K. B. (ch.) 

There are three answers to this move ; you may interpose bishop, 
fcnight, or pawn. The best is — 

5 P. to Q. B. 3 5 P. takes P. 

As his sixth move, V\''hite may either take pawn with pawn or castle. 
Cochrane proposed the first method, but it is not quite safe ; for if Black 
retreats with his bishop to queen's rook's 4th, White has no better move 
than to advance his king's pawn. To this Black replies by pushing his 
queen's pawn two squares — the move advocated by St. Amant — or by 
bringing out his king's knight to king's 2d square — the move proposed by 
Major Jaenisch, the celebrated German analyst. The safest move for the 
white is to 

6 Castle. 

The game is now fairly opened. Black may take pawn, but his better 

move is to advance his pawn and fork queen and knight. We will play 

a few moves thus — 

6 P. to K. B. 7 

7 Q. takes P. 7 P. to Q. 3 

8 P. to Q. R. 3 

9 P. to Q. Kt. 4 
10 Q. B. to Q. Kt. 3 

And from this point the game is even — ^the position of the white being 
quite equal to the pawn gained by the black. 

ILLUSTRATIVE GAMES. 
The following games will be found interesting and instructive. 
I. king's gambit. 

A game played in the match between Mr. Morphy and Mr. Mongredien, 
President of the London Chess Club : 



8K. 


B. 


toQ. 


B.4 


9K. B. 


to Q. 


Kt.3 


10 K. 


Kt 


. toB 


. 3. 



CHESS. 



525 



White (Mr. Mongredien). 

1 P. to K. 4 

2 P. to K. B. 4 

3 B. to B. 4 

4 B. takes P. 

5 P. to Q. 3 

6 P. takes Kt. 

7 Q. to K. 2 (ch.) 

8 B. takes P. 

9 Kt. to K. B. 3 

10 Kt. to Q. B. 3 

11 Castles (K. R.) 

12 P. toQ. R. 3 

13 K. to R. 

14 Q. to Q. 2 

15 Q. R. to K. 

16 R. takes B. 

17 Q. takes R. 

18 R. to K. B. 

19 Q. to B. 

20 P. to Q. Kt. 4 

21 B. takes B. 

22 Q. to K. 3 

23 Q. to B. 3 

24 R. takes Q. 

25 Kt. to K. 3 



Black (Mr. Mcpphy). 

1 P. to K. 4 

2 P. takes P. 

3 P. to Q. 4. 

4 Kt. to K. B. 3 

5 Kt. takes B. 

6 Q. takes P. 

7 B. to K. 3 

8 Kt. to Q. B. 3 

9 Castles 

10 B. to Q. Kt. 5 

11 Q. to K. R. 4 

12 B to B. 4 (ch.) 

13 B. to K. Kt. 5 

14 K. R. to K. 

15 B. takes Kt. 

16 R. takes R. (ch.) 

17 Kt. to Q. 5 

18 Kt. takes P. 

19 Kt. to Q. 5 

20 B. to Q. 3 

21 R. takes B. 

22 Kt. to B. 4 

23 Q. takes Q. 

24 R. to Q. B. 3 

25 Kt. to Q. 5, and wint 



II. KING'S KNIGHT'S GAME. 

White (Mr. Mongredien). Black (Mr. LowenthaI), 



1 P. to K 4 

2 P. to K. B. 4 

3 Kt. to K. B. 3 

4 B. to Q. B. 4 

5 P. to Q. 4 

6 Castles 

7 P. to K. 5 

8 B. to Kt. 3 

9 Kt. to Q. B, 

10 B. to Q. 2 

11 Q. to K. 



1 P. to K. 4 

2 P. takes P. 

3 P. to K. Kt 4 

4 B. to Kt. 2 

5 P. to Q. 3 

6 Kt. to Q. 2 

7 Kt. to Kt. 3 

8 P. to Q. 4 

9 P. to K. R. 3 
10 Kt. to K. 2 
XI P. to Q. R. 4 



526 CHESS. 

White (Mr. Mongredien), Black (Mr. LowenthAj^^. 



12 Kt. to Q. R. 4 


12 Kt. takes Kt. 


13 B. takes Kt. (ch.) 


13 P. to Q. B. 3 


14 P. to Q. B. 3 


14 B. to K. B. 4 


15 R. to Q. B. 


15 Kt. to Kt. 3 


i6 B. to B. 2 


16 B. takes B. 


17 R. takes B. 


17 P. to Kt. 5 


i8 B. takes P. 


18 P. takes Kt. 


19 R. takes P. 


19 Q. to K. 2 


20 R. to K. 2 


20 Castles K. R. 


21 B. to Kt. 3 


21 Q. R. to K. 


22 Q. to Q. 2 


22 P. to K. B. 4 


23 B. to B. 4 ' 


23 Kt. takes B. 


24 Q. takes Kt. 


24 Q. to K. 3. 


25 P. to K. R. 3 


35 R. to K. 2 


26 Q. R. to K. B. 2 


26 K. to R. 2 


27 Q. to Q. 2 


27 P. to K. R. 4 


28 Q. to Kt. 5 


28 B. to R. 3 


29 Q. takes R. ?• 


29 Q. to Kt. 3 


30 R. takes P. 


30 R. takes R. 


31 R. takes R. 


31 Q. takes Q. 


32 R. takes Q. 


32 K. to Kt. 3 


33 P. to K. Kt. 4 


33 R. to K. B. 2 


34 P. to K. 6 


34 R. to K. 2 


35 R. to K. 5 


35 K. to B. 5 


36 P. to K. R. 4 


36 B, to B. 8 


iLfter a few moves, Mr. M. resigned. 


III. VARIATION OF THE SCOTCH GAMBIT. 


White (Mr. Fat.kbeer). 


Black (M. ZyTOGORSKi), 


I P. to K. 4 


I P. to K. 4 


2 P. to Q. 4 


2 P. takes P. 


3 B. to Q. B. 4 


3 Q. to K. R. 5 


4 Q. to K. 2 


4 B. to Q. Kt. 5 (ch.) 


5 P. to Q. B. 3 


5 P. takes P. 


6 P. takes P. 


6 B. to Q. B. 4 


7 Kt. to K. B. 3 


7 Q. to R. 4 


8 P. to K. Kt 4 


8 Q. takes Kt. P 


9 B. takes P. (ch.) 


9 K. to B. 


10 R. to Kt. 


«o P. to K. R. 4 



1 



CHESS. 



527 



AThite (Mr. Falkbeer). 


Black (M. Zytogorski) 


II R. takes Q. 


II P. takes R. 


12 B. takes Kt. 


12 P. takes Kt. 


13 Q. to Q. B. 4 


13 P. to Q. 4 


14 Q. takes B., and wins 




EVANS GAMBIT. 


I P. to K. 4 


I P. to K. 4 


2 K. Kt. to B. 3 


2 Q. Kt. to B. 3 


3 K. B. to Q. B. 4 


3 K. B. to Q. B. 4 


4 P. to Q. Kt. 4 


4 B. takes P. 


5 P. to Q. B. 3 


5 B. to B. 4 


6 P. to Q. 4 


6 P. takes P. 


7 Castles 


7 P. takes P. 


8 Q. to Q. 5 


8 Q. to K. 2 


9 P. to K. 5 


9 Kt. to Q. Kt. 5 


10 Q. to K. 4 


10 P. to K. R. 4 


II Kt. takes P. 


n P. to Q. B. 3 


12 B. to K. 3 


12 B. takes B. 


13 P. takes B. 


13 Kt. to K. R. 3 


14 Q. R. to Q. sq. 


14 Castles 


15 Q. to K. Kt. 6 


15 K. to R. sq. 


16 Q. takes K. R. P. 


16 P. to K. B. 3 


22 Q. to K. R. 4 


22 R. takes Q. R. 


23 R. to B. 7 (ch.) 


23 Kt. takes R. 


24 Q. to R. 7 (ch.) 


24 K. to B. sq. 


25 B. takes Kt. and wins. 





ALLGAIER GAMBIT. 



The following game is remarkable as having been played on the stage 
of the National Theatre at Pesth, with living players dressed to represent 
the pieces and pawns. The directors of the game were Herr Szen, the 
celebrated analyst, and Herket, the manager of the theatre. 



White (Herr H.) 

1 P. to K. 4 

2 P. to K. B. 4 

3 Kt. to K. B. 3 

4 P. to K. R. 4 

5 Kt. to K. 5 



Black (Herr S.) 

1 P. to K. 4 

2 P. takes P. 

3 P. to K. Kt. 4 - 

4 P. to Kt. 5 

5 P. to K. R. 4 



528 CHESS. 

White (Herr. H.) Black (Herr S.) 

6 B. to Q. B. 4 6 R. to R. 2 

7 P. to Q. 4 7 P. to K. B. 6 

8 P. takes P. 8 P. to Q. 3 

9 Kt. to Q. 3 9 B. to K. 2 

10 B. to K. 3 10 B. takes P. (ch.) 

11 K. to Q. 2 II P. takes P. 

12 Q. takes P. 12 B. to K. Kt. 5 

13 Q. to B. 4 13 Kt. to Q. B. 3 

14 Kt. to Q. B. 3 14 Kt. takes Q. P. 

15 Q. R. to K. B. 15 B, to B. 3 

16 Kt. to Q. 5 16 B. to K. 4 

17 Kt. takes B. 17 P. takes Kt 

18 Q. takes K. P. (ch.) 18 Kt. to K. 3 

19 K. to B. 19 Q. to Q. 3 

20 Q. takes Q. 20 P. takes Q. 

21 K. to Q. 2 21 P. to Kt. 3 

22 B. to Q. 3 22 R. to Kt. 2 

23 P. to Q. B. 4 23 Castles 

24 P. to Kt. 4 24 K. to Kt. 2 

25 P. to R. 4 25 R. to Q. 2 

26 P. to Q. R. 5 26 P. takes P. 
C7 P. takes P. 27 K. to R. 

28 K. to B. 3 28 Kt. to Kt. 4 

29 P. to K. 5 29 P. takes P. 

30 B. takes Kt. 30 R. takes B. 
3T B. to K. 4 31 K. to Kt. 

32 R. to Q. Kt. (ch.) 32 R. to Kt. 2 

33 Kt. to Kt. 4 33 B. to B. 

34 Kt„ to R. 6 (ch.) 34 K. to R. 

35 R. takes R. 35 B. takes R. 

36 R. to K. Kt. 36 R. to Kt. 6 (ch.) 

37 K. to Q. 2 37 R. to Q. 6 (ch.) 

38 K. takes R. 38 B. takes B. (ch.) 

39 K. takes B. 39 Kt. to B. 3 (ch.) 

40 K. to B. 5 40 Kt. to Q. 2 

41 Kt. to Q. B. 7, mate. 

Muzio GAMBIT. (IiTegfular.) 

The following: game was played in 1847 between Mr. Alexandre and 
Mr. Brien : 



.^ I 



CHESS. 



5^9 



White (Blr. A.) 

1 P. to K. 4 

2 P. to K. B. 4 

3 Kt. to K. B. 3 

4 P. to K. R. 4 

5 B. to B. 4 

6 B. takes P. 

7 Q. takes P. 

8 B. to Kt. 3 

9 P. to Q. 3 

10 Kt. to B. 3 

11 B. to Q. 3 

12 P. to K. Kt. 3 

13 Q. to B. 

14 Q. to K. Kt 3 

15 K. to B. 

i6 Q. takes Kt. 
17 K. to K. 
i8 K. takes B. 
19 K. to K. sq. 

and Black mates next move. 



Black (Mr. B.) 

1 P. to K. 4 

2 P. takes P. 

3 P. to K. Kt. 4 

4 P. to Kt. 5 

5 P. to Q. 4 

6 P. takes Kt 

7 P. to Q. B. 3 

8 B. to R. 3 

9 Q. to B. 3 

10 Kt. to K. 2 

11 Kt to Kt 3 

12 Kt to K. 4 

13 B. to Kt 5 

14 Kt to B. 6 (ch.) 

15 Kt. takes B. fch.) 

16 P. takes P. (dis. dl.) 

17 B. takes Q. (ch.) 

18 Q. to B. 5 (ch.) 

19 Q. to K. 6 (ch.) 



Our next game was played between Au^ Morphy and Mr. Medley, with 
the usual king's gambit opening. 



White (Mr. Morphy). 
I P. to K. 4 
a P. to K. B. 4 

3 Kt. to K. B. 3 

4 P. to K. R. 4 

5 Kt. to K. s 

6 B. to Q. B. 4 

7 P. takes P. 

8 P. to Q. 4 

9 Kt. to Q. B. 3 
10 Kt. >o K. a 

ti Q. Kt takes P. 
13 Kt to K. R. 5 

13 B. to K. Kt. 3 

14 P. to Q. B. 3 

15 Castles 



Black (Mr. Medlev) 
1 P. to K. 4 
8 P. takes P. 

3 P. to K. Kt. 4 

4 P. to K. Kt. 5 

5 Kt. to K. B. 3 

6 P. to Q. 4 

7 B. to Q. 3 

8 Kt. to K. R. 4 

9 B. to K. B. 4 

10 Q. to K. B. 3 

11 Kt to Kt. 6 

12 Kt. takes Kt 

13 B. checks 

14 Q. to Q. 3 

15 K. Kt. to Kt 9 



530 



CHESS. 



White (Mr. Morphy). 
X6 R. takes B. 

17 Q. takes P. 

18 R. to K. 

19 Q. to B. 3 

20 B. checks 

21 P. takes P. 



Black (Mr. Medley). 

16 Kt. takes R. 

17 Kt. to K. 2 

18 P. to K. R. 4 

19 R. to R. a 

20 P. to B. 3 

21 P. takes P. 



and Mr. Morphy wins in a few more moves. 

This last game is taken from one of those played by Mr. Morphy at tht 
St James' Chess Club, blindfold, against eight players. It la » goo<? 
illustration of the power of the celebrated player. 



White (Mr. Morphy). 

1 P. to K. 4 

2 P. to K. B. 4 

3 Kt. to K. B. 3 

4 B. to B. 4 

5 ?• to K. Kt 3 
eCasQes 

7 K. to R. 

8 B. takes P. 

9 B. takes P. (ch.) 
10 Kt. takes B. 

jj P. to Q. 3 

12 Q. to R. 5 (dL) 

13 R. takes Kt 

14 Kt. to Q. B. X 
13 Q. to B. 3 

16 B. to B. 4 

17 K. takes P. 

18 R. to K. Kt 

19 B. takes R, 

20 Kt. to Q. 5 

21 Q. Kt. toK. B.6(ch.) 

22 R. lakes B. (ch.) 

23 Q. Kt. takes Q. 

24 Kt. takes Kt 
85 K. to Kt 3 
26 Kt. takes P. 



Black (Mr. Bird). 

1 P. to K. 4 

2 P. takes P. 
3B. toK. 2 

4 B. to R. 5 (ch.) 

5 P. takes P. 

6 P. takes P. (ch.) 

7 P. to Q. 4 

8 Kt. to K. B. 3 

9 K. takes K 

10 R. to K. 

11 B. to R. 6 

12 K. to Kt 

13 P. takes R. 

14 R. to K. 4 

15 Q. to Q. 2 

16 Kt. to B. 3 

17 B. to Kt. s 

18 P. to K. R. 4 

19 P. takes B. 

20 Kt. to Q. s 

21 K. to Kt. 2 

22 P. takes P. 

23 Kt. takes Q. (ch;| 

24 P. takes Kt. 

25 R. to Q. sq, 

26 R. to K. B, sq. 



27 Kt. takes P. 
und White eventually wins* having now a knight and five pawns d^g;ai]l•l 
% rook and three pawxwr 



CHESS. 



531 



PROBLEMS. 
PROBLEM I. PROBLEM H. 

BLACK. BLACK. 



SI 






19 I 

* mm « 









WHITE. 

WTiiteto play, and mate in 3 moves. 
PROBLEM in. 

BLACK. 



WHITE. 

White to play, and mate in 3 movea 
PROBLEM IV. 

BLACK. 




n/mxmtwi 






WHITE. 

White to play, and mate in 2 moves. 
PROBLEM V. 

BLACK. 



WHITE. 

White to play, and mate in 2 mov«ft 
PROBLEM VI. 

BLACK. 





WHITE. 

White to play, and mate in three 
moves. 



WHITE. 

White plays, and compels BlacV 
to mate him ia four moves. 



532 



CHESS. 



PROBLEM VII. 

(The IndUin Problem.) 

BLACK. 



m,^ .^ ^^^ 






fif m. 






WHITE. 

White to play, and mate in 4 moves. 
PROBLEM IX. 

BLACK. 




WHITE. 



PROBLEM XL 

BY G. E. C. 



PROBLEM VIII. 

BLACK. 




WHITE. 

PROBLEM X. 

BLACK. 



\tmimii 



mm. w^'^/fk y/mi: 



WHITE. 

White to play, and mate in 3 moves; 
PROBLEM XXL 

BY F H. 



B |R| K 






1 ■ 



Kt 



IS I 



■ i<B 



IP 









^ R W Q 

1' ■' 1 



7«^ 



^ ^ 



^ ' ^ 



,^^ .§5S.« ^^ ^ 
^ ^^ ^^ ^^*^ 



1 






White to move, and mate in 2 moves. White to move, and mate in ^ mov^ 



CHESS. 



533 



PROBLEM XIII. 

PY K. B. 



PROBLEM XIV. 

BY S. L. 





White to move and mate in 4 moves. 
PROBLEM XV. 

BY C. M. 



White to move and mate in 5 moves. 
PROBLEM XVI. 

BY T. M. 



li I 
us 



p pi p il i 

■ pBi^II ■ 

B ■Rfipr 



SSiS 



ipl 



Pii 



■KtS il I 



Hi 






Kfcl 



l< 



Sivvbc* ^^^^ 



B 



White to move, and mate in 15 
moves. 



PROBLEM XV il. 



White to move, and mate in 8 
moves, with the rook on R. square, 
without moving it or capturing the 
black pawn. 

PROBLEM XVIII. 



BY T. G. C. 



BY N. D. N. 



^ ^^ 



I P » » » 

11 11 S i 



Bi 



^^ S.!!.^ ^ ^^ 

^ ^ H 11 P 



■ II 
■ p 






S!S^^8!iSS SSS 



1 Q i# B^R 



White to move and make a draw. 



Sui-mate. White to move and 
force Black to mate him (White; 



534 



CHESS. 



PROBLEM XIX. 
white: a. a. black: T. D. 






tti I 






B ■0 



Bp 



Position after Black's twentieth move. 
White mates in four moves. 

SOLUTIONS TO THE FOREGOING PROBLEMS. 

PROBLEM I. 



Black. 
I K. to B. sq. 
3 K. to his sq. 



White. 

1 R. to Q. 5 

2 R. to K. Kt. 5 

3 R. to K. Kt. 8, mate. 

The principle of this problem is that the king must go opposite his 
foyal adversary, whether the rook move to the right or to the left. This 
position often occurs in actual play. 

PROBLEM II. 

1 Q. to her sq. i B. moves (best) 

2 Q. to her 2d 2 Q, checks 

3 Kt. to K. B. 5, double check and mate. 

PROBLEM III. 

1 Q. to K. R. sq. I Any move 

2 Q, or R. mates. 

It will be perceived that the whole secret of this problem lies in movkig 
White queen to the corner square. Whatever Black does in answer, he 
must submit to mate on White's second move. 

PROBLEM IV. 

1 R. to Q. 6 1 Any move 

2 R. B. Kt., or P. mates. 

As in other problems, all depends on the key move. 



CHESS. 



535 



J B. to Q. 8 

a Q. to K. 5 (ch.) 
3 B. to B. 6, mate. 

t B. to Q. 8 

a Q. to Q. Kt. 2 (ch.) 

3 Q. to Kt. 6, mate. 



PROBLEM V. 



OR« 



I K. to Q. 5 
a K. takes Q. 

1 K. to Kt. 5 

2 K. takes P. 



1 P. to Kt. 4 (ch.) 
3 Q. to her 5 (ch.) 

3 Q. to Q. Kt. (ch.) 

4 P. to K. Kt. 5 



PROBLEM VII. 
2 B. to Q. B. sq. 

2 R. to Q. 2 

3 K. moves 



PROBLEM VI. 



1 K. to Kt. 4 (best) 

2 K. to R. 3 (best) 

3 K. takes Q. 

4 Black must move his K. 

and give mate. 

(THE INDIAN PROBLEM.) 

1 P. moves 

2 P. moves (best) 

3 K. moves 



4 R. to Q. 4, discovering check and mate. 



PROBLEM VIII. 

1 B. to K. B. 5 

2 Q. to Q. Kt. 5 

3 Q. mates. 

PROBLEM IX. 

1 R. to K. 4 (ch.) 

2 Q. to Q. Kt. 7 (ch.) 

3 Kt. to Q. 6 (ch.) 

\ Q. to Q. Kt. sq., mate. 



1 K. moves 

2 K. moves 



1 B. takes R. 

2 R. or B. covers 

3 Q. takes Kt. 



PROBLEM X. 

t Kt. from K. Kt. 5 to i Either P. takes Kt. 

K. 4 (ch.) 

2 B. to K. 7th a P. moves 

3 Kt. mates. 

ENDINGS OF GAMES OCCURRING IN ACTUAL PLAY. 

The pieces being placed in the following positions, the learner may 
tfxercise his skill in effecting mate in the prescribed number of moves, 01 
fewer, if he can. • 



SZ^ CHESS. 

POSITION 1. 

White. Black. 

K. at Kt.'s sq. K. at his Kt.'s sq. 

Q. at Q. Kt.'s 2d Q. at her 7th 

R. at K. B/s sq. R. at K. B.'s sq. 

B. at Q. B.'s 3d R„ at Q. R.'s 7th 

B. at K. Kt.'s 6th Kt. at K.'s 2d 

P. at K. R.'s 2d P. at K. B.'s 2d, 
White to play, and mate in two moves, 

POSITION II, 

K. at his R.'s sq. K. at his sq. 

Q. at her sq. Q. at her Kt. 7th 

Kt. at K. R.'s 6th R. at K.'s B.'s sq. 

B. atK. B. 5th R. at Q. R.'s 7th 

Pawns at K. R. 6th, K. Kt. Kt. at K. R.'s 8th 

2d, and K. R. 2d Pawns at Q. R. 4th, K. R. fld^ 



White to play, and mate in two moves. 



Kt. 2d 



POSITION III. 

K. at his R.'s sq. K. at his R.'s 4th 

Q. at K. B.'s sq. Q. at her sq. 

B. at Q. 2d Q. R. at his sq. 

Pawns at K. 5th, K. R.'s R. at Q. 2d 

2d, K. Kt.'s 2d B. at Q. B. 4th 

Kt. at K.'s sq. 

Pawns at K. R.'s ad, K. Kt 
2d. 
White to play, and mate in three moves. 

POSITION IV. 

K. at Q. B. 8 K. at K. R. 3 

Q. at K. 7 Q. at K. R. 5 

R. at Q. B. 6 R. at K. B. 8 

B. at K. B. 5 R. at Q. B. 6 

B. at Q. 6 B. at K. R. 4 

P. at K. 4 Kt. at K. Kt 7 

Kt. at K. 4 
P. at K. B. 2. 

White to play, and mate in four moves. 



CHESS. ^37 

POSITION V. 

White. Black. 

K. at his sq. Kt. at his 4th iq. 

R. at K. R.'s 7 
B. at Q. B.'sS 
Kt. at Q.'s 5 
Kt. at K. B.'s s 
P. at K/s 2 

White to play and mate in three moves* 

POSITION VI. 

K, at K. B.'SS K. atK,R.'ft4 

R. at K. Kt.'s 4 P. at K.»s 5 

B. at K. B.'s 2 P. at K. 4 

P. at K. Kt.'s 2 P. at K. Kt's 4. 

White to play, and mate in four moves. 

POSITION VII. 

K. at his 3d sq. K. at Kt.*s 8 

Q. at Q. R.'s 3 P. at K. R.'s 7 

Kt. at K. R.'s5 P. at K. R.'^s 

P. at K. Kt.'s 4 

White to play, and mate in four moves. 

SOLUTIONS. 

No. II. 
I Q. to Q. 6 And how Black moves 

amates. 

Na 12. 
S Q. to K. B. 8 I B. to K. 4 (best) 

8 R. to K. 8 2 K. to K. 5, or 

a takes P., or 

atoQ.3 
3 Q. to B. 4, or 

Q. to Kt. 4, or 

Q. to B. a, and } 

s Kt. to B. 4 1 P. X Kt. (best) 

• B. to Q. 4 8 K. X B., or 



K.toQ.4 



I K. to Q. 6, or 

Q. ^ Q. 6, and mates the next mo^^ 



53^ 



CJjjSSSm 



No. 14. 



White. 
f Q. to B. 8 

2 Q. to Q. 6 

3 Q. to B. 4 

4 Q. to Q. 4 

5 Q. to Kt sq. ) 



iKtxKtP.t 
8 R. xR.t 
3Q.xP.t 

4 Kt. to Kt 6f 

5 Kt toK. 7t 

6 Kt to B. 6t 

7 Kt.xR.t 

8 Kt to B. 6t 

9 Kt to K. 7t 

10 KttoKt6t 

11 Kt X P. t 

12 Kt. to Kt 6t 

13 Kt. to K. 7t 

14 P. to B. 4t 
tsKtt 



Black. 
X K. to K. 8 

2 Any move 

3 K. to K. 8 

4 K. to B. 8 



Na 15* 



1 



Black's moves are tonsed 



Naifii 



1 Q. toQ. R.8t 

2 B. to Kt. sq. t 

3 Kt. to Q. sq. t 

4 B. to R. 2 t 

5 R. to R. 3t 
6B.toQ. 3t 

7 B. to B. sq. 

8 B discovers the t 



1 K. to Q. 6 

2 K. to B. 6 

3 K. to Kt 6 

4 K. to R. 6 

5 B. to B. 6 

6 B. X Q. 

7 B. to B. 6 



I B. to Q, 2 
« B. to R. 5 
3 P. to Kt 4 

Stalemate* 



Ka 17* 



Anymoive 
44 «« 



CHESS. 539 





M6.sa 






White. 






BladL 


I R. to Q. R. 8 






1 K.toK.2 


2 R. to K. R. 7 






3 K. to K. 3 


3 Q to Q. s 








4 Q. to B. 7 






^^lack^s moves are f oi 


5 R. to B. 8 








6 Q. to B. 5 








7 R. to B. 6 








8 Q. to B. 3 








9 R. to B. 4 








lo R. to Q. R. 7 








II P. to K. 5 








13 P. to K. 6 








13 P. to K. 7 








14 P. to K. 8 (Becomes 


aWshop] 


) 




15 B. to Kt. 6 








l6 Q. to B. sq. 








17 R. to K. R. 7 








i8 Q. to Kt. sq. 








19 Q. to Kt 5 








20 R. to Q. 7 








21 R. to Q. sq. 








32 B. to Kt. sq. 








33 B. to Q. 3 








84 B. to B. sq. 






K.toB.6(orA) 


35 Q. to Kt. 6 






K.toK.6 


96 Q. to Q. B. 6 






P. moves 


27 Q. to B. 4 


(A.) 




p. mates 
34 K. to K. 5 


25Q.toQ.s 






K. to K. 6 


26 Q. to B. 6, etc 


No. 19. 




• 


WTiite (A. Anderssen). 




Black (T. DUFRESNB), 


1 P. to K. 4 




I p. 


toK. 4 


2 Kt. to K. B. 3 




2 Kl 


:. to Q. B. 3 


3 B. to B. 4 




3B. 


toB. 4 


4 Pc to Q. Kt. 4 




4B. 


X Q. Kt. P. 


f P. to Q. B. 3 




3B. 


toR. 4 



S4C> CHESS. 

White (A. Anderssen), Black (T. DuFRWiWB}. 

6 P. toQ. 6 P. xP. 

7 Castjes 7 P. to Q. 6 

8 Q. to Kt. 3 8 Q. to B. 3 

9 P. to K. 5 9 Q. to Kt. 3 

xo R. to K. sq. 10 K. Kt. to K. 2 

11 B. to R. 3 u P. to Kt. 4 

12 Q. X P. 12 R. to Q. Kt. sq. 

13 Q. to R. 4 13 B. to Kt. 3 

14 Q. Kt. to Q. 3 14 B. to Kt. 2 

15 Kt. to K. 4 15 Q. to B. 4 

16 B. X P. 16 Q. to R. 4 

17 Kt. to B. 6t 17 P. X Kt. 

18 P. X P. 18 R. to K. Kt. sq. 

19 Q. R. to Q. sq. 19 Q. x Kt. 

20 R. X Kt. t 20 Kt. X R. 
The mate in four moves is now given. 

21 Q. X P. t 21 K. X Q. (best) 

22 B. to K. B. 5t 22 K. to K. sq. 

23 B. to K. 7 23 Any 
24B. xKt.t 



COON CAN. 

This game is played with forty cards. The eights, nines, and tens are 
discarded. It is a game played by two persons only. 

The object of the game is to make fours and threes, as in Poker, and 
sequences of the same suits. Sequences begin from the ace, in this order : 
ace, deuce, three, four, five, six, and seven, jack, queen, king. There 
may be a sequence of six, seven, and jack, or seven, jack, queen. 

Cards are shuffled, and the person cutting the highest card has the 
deal. 

Ten cards are given to each player — three cards first, then three more, 
then four cards. 

There are twenty cards dealt, and twenty cards over. These twenty 
cards over are placed on the table, face down, to be drawn from, one 
card at a time. The non-dealer draws first. If the card drawn will 
make, in connection with the cards in bis hand, threes or fours, or a se- 



KENO. 541 

quence of the same suit, he can lay the sequences, threes, or fours on the 
table, and discard from his hand a card for the one drawn. If he cannot 
use the card drawn, he places it alongside of the pack, face upward. If 
the dealer can use this discarded card for threes, fours, or sequences, he 
does precisely the same thing as would have done the first player, other- 
wise he draws from the pack. 

The game continues in this way until either player has placed upon the 
table the ten cards, and to these ten cards must be added one more card, 
making eleven cards, to win the game. 

If neither of the players can do this, it is a stand-off. The party then 
dealing begins over again. The loser always deals. 

The art in Coon Can, like in Cribbage, lies in the discard and in put- 
ting the cards, whether threes, fours, or sequences, at the proper time on 
the table. It often happens, that at the close of the game, one party, by 
discarding frorri his hand and placing that card on his adversary's pack, 
spoils his opponent's game. 



KENO, OR LOTO, 



Keno IS the well-known game of I,oto. The game is cosmopolitan 
almost. It is played in Italy, where it is known as Tombola. It is 
played in E)ngland as lyOto, and in France as I^oto Dauphin, while in 
America its familiar name is Keno. There is still another form, known 
as "Object or Spelling I^oto." Each is interesting and each has thou- 
sands of devotees. 

AMERICAN LOTO. 

This variation is used in England, where it is regarded chiefly as a 
children's pastime, while in this country it is recognized as one of the 
best games of chance. In the South it is used as a gambling game 
and many gambling houses have rooms set aside for this game. 

Keno can be played by any number of persons under twenty-four. 
The tools of the game are: Boxes containing one hundred counters; 
fourteen fishes, each reckoned as ten counters; twelve contracts, worth 
ten fishes or one hundred counters; a pack of twenty- four large cards 
with fifteen difl^erent numbers marked on each, and a bag or other 
receptacle holding ninety discs or balls numbered from i to 90. In 
addition, a board with ten holes cut in it to hold the numbered balls 
as they are drawn. A loto card is divided into twenty-six squares, 



542 KENO, 

which are colored green and white. On the white squares there are 
fifteen numbers, five in each of the three rows. 

The common way to play this game is: 

Each player draws two cards and deposits a stake agreed upon. If 
too many are not playing, a player can take four or six cards, putting 
down a double or treble stake. Players can exchange cards with one 
another or they can exchange cards for those not drawn. The stakes 
are placed in a pool in the centre of the table. 

The ninety numbered balls are counted to see if all are in. Then 
ten balls, one after another, are drawn, the number on each called, and 
the ball placed where all can see it. As each number is called the 
players look at their cards, and if the number appears on it, it is cov- 
ered. This is kept up until the ten balls have been drawn. Then the 
cards are examined, and a player who has one number on a horizontal 
line covered wins one counter; if two numbers on a line are covered, 
the player gains an ambe and is entitled to five counters besides the two 
with which the numbers are covered. With three numbers on a line 
covered the player obtains a terne and is entitled to twenty-five extra 
counters. Four on the same line is called a quaterne and one hundred 
additional counters go to the player; while a quinterne, or five on a 
line, entitles the player to two hundred and fifty counters. After these 
winnings are paid the balls are replaced in the pool and the next player 
draws them out again. 

Another method is for the players, before the game, to select a 
dealer, who shufiles the cards, draws the numbers, and deals. He can- 
not play in the game. Each player stakes a given sum for each card 
drawn, which is reserved for the winner. The winner is the first 
player to cover all the numbers on his cards. To make the game even 
more interesting the stake is divided into four parts. One-fourth goes 
to the player who first covers five numbers in the same row; a fourth 
to the player who first covers two horizontal rows; while the remaining 
half goes to the player who first covers all the numbers on his card. 

In gambling, as soon as a player covers one horizontal row he yells, 
"Keno," and the dealer or banker gives him all in the pool except 
twenty per cent, which is kept by "the house," 

LOTO DAUPHIN. 

The game, as played in France, is based upon the same principles 
and is nothing more nor less than the diminutive of the ancient 
royal lottery. It is played with twenty-four cards, which arc 4ivide^ 



KENO. 



543 



into three . rows of nine horizontal spaces, four in each row being 
colored and the remaining five being occupied by numbers. A player 
takes ^ two, three, and even four cards. The drawing then begins 
until. one of the players forms a quine, that is, covers five numbers in 
the same row. He wins the stakes. This makes the game very stupid 
as an amusement, but as the result is reached quicker it is the form 
most liked by those who gamble. 

The: Italians use a series of ijiottoes to designate their cards, while 
the French give each a name in harmony with the configuration of the 
figures— as ii, the two legs; Z2n the two hunchbacks; 4, commissary 
hat; 69> the infallible, etc. 

TOMBOLA, OR ITALIAN LOTO. 

This game is a pure household game. It is played with a large sheet 
of cardboard on which are nine rows of ten numbers each, the num- 
bers running from I to 90. There are rectangular cards upon which 
are stamoed at random fifteen numbers, five being in each line. Kach 
card bears a motto which distinguishes it from all other cards. Ninety 
numbered discs of brass are placed in a bag. The price of each card 
is agreed upon, and upon paying the price the player takes his card. 
The total sum paid in is divided into prizes which are paid to those 
first naking the different combinations. These combinations are the 
ABSfRACT, the AMBE, the TERNO, QUADERNA, CINQUINA, 
and TOMBOLA. 

Before one player are placed the cardboard and the bag of numbers. 
He draws at random the numbers from the bag and places them over 
the corresponding numbers on the card, announcing clearly and loudly 
each number as it is drawn. The player who first covers the third num- 
ber on the second line of a card scores the ABSTRACT; he who 
covers two numbers on a line scores the AMBE; if three, the TERNO, 
and so on until a player marks all fifteen numbers on a card, when he 
calls "TOMBOI.A." 

ENGLISH LOTO. 

It can be played by any number of persons, although twelve is about 
as high a number as can play agreeably. The cards required are fifty 
in number, about two and one-half to three inches square, and bearing 
one number only. Four bags are used for the numbered balls, the 
largest bag being named the loto bag. It should differ in color from 
the others and should contain fifty numbered balls. The smaller bags 



544 



KENO. 



are marked. I, II, and III and are named prize or premium bags. No. 
I contains ten balls marked o, 2, 4, 6, i, 2, 8, 3, 7, 10; No. u contains 
ten balls numbered 18, 10, 12, 3, 9, 8, 15, 5, o, o; and No. Ill has 
thirty balls marked o, o, o, o, o, 10, 8, 4, 6, 2, 35, 20, 30, 40, i, 15, 5, 
9, 25, 10, 2, 12, 20, 30, 18, 15, 8, II, 33, 14. 

The cards are distributed to the players at a price fixed upon. A 
player holds the loto bag, from which he draws the numbers. Bag No. 
I is held by another player, who draws a number as soon as the num- 
ber has been taken from the loto bag. The player having the card of 
the corresponding number places it in the centre of the table, and the 
banker pays him as many cents or nickels as the number drawn from 
bag No. I indicates. This is continued until all the numbers in the 
first bag have been drawn, when there is an intermission. 

Each player then having a card doubles his stake, giving the banker 
twice the sum he first gave for his card. The drawing is then resumed 
from the loto bag and bag No. 2. When ten numbers from this bag 
are drawn, the game again stops and the players still having cards 
quadruple their stakes. Then the drawing is resumed from the loto 
bag and bag No. 3, the premium bag. The last number drawn, which 
exhausts all the cards, gives the holder of the card corresponding to the 
last number the entire sum that remains in the pool. 



SOLO. 



545 



BAGATELLE. 



Bagatelle is played on a special table, which varies in length and 

breadth. Usually it is 12 feet long by 3 
feet 6 inches in width. The upper part of 
the table is semicircular, and it is cush- 
ioned. There are holes in the bed of the 
table, which serve for pockets. Th^ num- 
ber of these pockets vary from nine to fifteen 
holes. The object-ball is at A, and any 
color ball may be used. The striker's ball 
is at S. The ball A is spotted. The num- 
ber of the various pockets vary, but with a 
15-game Bagatelle all are as represented in 
the diagram. The object is for the player 
to make, in a certain number of shots, the 
highest number of points with the object- 
ball A. 

There are various ways of playing Baga- 
telle — one is to put in the holes both the 
object and the striker's ball. 

A hundred being the score, in some games 
of Bagatelle, to pocket or hole the striker's 
ball is to deduct so many points from the 
player's count. To cushion before striking 
the object-ball is sometimes played. To 
miss the object-ball is counted variously — 
sometimes one, and sometimes five. The 
lines D D, B B, C C, and D D are chalk 
lines, and should after a shot the player's 
ball remain within these lines, one or two 
points, as agreed upon, are deducted from the score. 

A player gives place to another when he has failed to hole a balL 




SOLO. 

The name Solo is applied to an infinite variety of games. In some 
cases a game called Solo is played where to score a certain number of 
points wins the game, but in the regulation Solo it is the number of 



546 



SOLO. 



tricks. Germans play many kinds of games which are called Solo, and 
some of them have no resemblance to the true game. 

The true game of Solo, where the tricks and not the points win, is as 
follows : 

A Euchre pack of thirty-two cards is used, and four play. When five 
players engage in the game, eight more cards are used, the fives and sixes 
of each suit being added, making forty cards. 

THE FOUR-HANDED GAME. 

There are three Matadors in Solo. The best card is the queen of clubs, 
called Spadilla. The next best card is the seven of the trump suit, known 
as Manilla, which, of course, varies with the suit. The queen of spades 
is the third best trump, and is designated as Basta. The other cards 
follow in their usual order : ace, king, queen, jack, ten, nine, eight, sev- 
en, except in clubs and spades. As these queens do not belong to these 
suits, they have a potentiality of their own. 

WHAT IS THE GAME OF SOLO. 

Solo is a game of tricks. 

The player of a call endeavors to make five or eight tricks, either alone 
or by the help of another player. The player who names the highest o£ 
the various games which are incorporated in Solo, has the call. 

THE CALLS. 

A particular color, say spades, clubs, hearts, or diamonds, having bee« 
selected, is designated as '* couleur," and remains couleur or the best suit 
throughout the game. Usually clubs are chosen. Sometimes the first call 
which is declared and wins, remains, by mutual consent, the selected cou- 
leur during the game. A call in couleur is better or higher than a call 
not in coulenr. 

THE SEQUENCE OF CALLS OR BIDS IN SOLO. 

1. The Lowest is the Simple game in suit, worth 2 counters. 

2. ** '* Simple game in couleur, worth 4 counters. 

3. " ** Forcee Partout in suit, worth 4 counters. 

4. ** ** Forcee Partout in couleur, worth 8 counters. 

5. ** " Solo in suit, worth 4 counters. 

6. " " Solo in couleur, worth 8 counters. 

7. *' " Tout in suit, worth 16 counters. 

8. The Highest call is Tout in couleur, worth 32 counters. 



SOLO. 547 



WHAT THESE CALLS MEAN. 

The Simple Game. — The object of the player is to make five tricks. 
Looking at his hand, the player thinks that it is only fairly strong. There 
is the certainty of making three or four tricks, but not five. He would be 
beaten did he declare Solo, or the call meaning that he will play it alone. 
He may then call for an ace, designating the particular ace he wants. 
Calling for an ace does not mean that the other player holding an ace, 
can take that card from his hand and give it to the caller. Nothing 
is said after the call for the ace. The player having the ace becomes 
tacitly the caller's partner, but his individuality is not known until the ace 
is played, or falls in the course of the play. The player, however, hold- 
ing the ace, when called on, must at once do his best in his play to aid 
the caller. Should the caller win, his assistant participates in the win- 
nings ; should the game be lost, he pays. The tricks the holder of the 
ace may have made prior to his playing the ace, belong to both the 
caller and the *' friend." The caller in the simple game designates the 
trump. A player may hold the ace himself, and call for it ; it is then 
understood that he plays Solo. 

A player holding the four aces, and doubtful as to making five tricks, 
can call for a king, and then it is a simple game. 

Forc^e Partout. — A player holding Spadilia (queen of clubs) and 
Basta (queen of spades), must state it, unless he or somebody else has 
made a higher call. It can be played as a Solo, or he may ask for an 
ace. In this case, the person having the ace has the privilege of naming 
the trump, but it must not be of the same suit as the ace. 

Solo. — Here the player has sufficient strength to play his hand without 
asking for assistance. He makes the trump, and has three antagonists. 

A Tout is called when the player thinks that with his cards alone, or 
by calling an ace, he can make all the eight tricks. Of course if he plays it 
alone, he receives all the penalties. If a player, from holding an ace, be° 
comes his " friend," the gains are divided. If the game is lost, both pay 
the penalties. 

When a simple or solo is played, and the five tricks are made, that 
round might be supposed to be closed. It may happen, however, that by 
the fall of the cards the player may entertain the belief that he can make 
all the tricks. If, then, he keeps on playing, it is understood that he is 
playing a-tout. Should he then fail to take every one of the other three 
tricks, he loses. The first five tricks are not counted to his credit. He 
has to pay if he loses, just as if he had declared a-tout at the outset. If 



548 SOLO. 



he wins, he is paid twice as much if it be in suit, or four times as much if 
it is in couleur. 

There is an obligatory call in Solo. When all have passed, the player 
holding Spadilla, the queen of spades, the best trump, is obliged to play. 
He can call for an ace, as before described. There is this difference in 
this Forcee simple from the simple game, for in this special case the 
holder of the ace must name a trump, but not the suit of which is the ace 
Tie holds. 

In the Forcee Partout, the player holding the highest card, the queen 
of clubs, Spadilla, and queen of spades, Basta, announces the holding of 
tliem. He can play it as a solo, asking for an ace. The player, having 
the ace, makes, as in Forcee Simple, the trump, but not in the suit of the 
ace called for. The Forcee partout is not obligatory, as is Forcee Simple. 

Solo. — The player without asking for aid, names the trump, and pur- 
poses making unaided five tricks. He plays solo alone, against the three 
other players. 

A-TOUT. — The player purposes making all the tricks, either alone or 
with another player who has the ace he asks for. 

DEALING. 

The highest card sometimes decides who shall deal. Generally, the 
person to whom the first club is given deals. 

Cards are shuffled and cut as in other games, and eight cards are given 
to each player, in this way : first, three to each player , then two, and 
lastly, three more, making eight in all, 

A misdeal does not change the dealer. If a card is exposed in any way, 
the dealer begins again. 

PENALTIES. 

There are many different ways of enforcing the penalties. In som« 
cases it is the same as in Boston. The dealer puts into a pot a certain 
stake agreed upon, and as the deal passes, each one dealing does the 
same thing. If a call is made and lost, the loser puts into the pool just as 
many counters as there were, until the pool or stamm amounts to i6. 
Arrived at i6 counters, this is the extreme penalty. Thirty-two counters 
would be in the pot if a caller did not succeed, and then 64 if another 
failure was made. The loser is mulcted 16, and has to put up 16, after 
the pot is won. In this way there may be a succession of stamms of 16. 
This rule is a good one to keep to, as a half-dozen failures when doubled, 
would have made an exaggerated pool. In addition to the pot, each 
failure is paid as designated to the three other — or two other players — if 
^he partnership game is played, 2 for a simple game in suit, 4 for cou* 



SOLO. 549 

leur, 4 for Forc^e partout in suit, 8 for coukur, 4 for solo in suit, 8 for 
couleur, 16 for tout in suit, and 32 for couleur. As in Skat, the matadors 
count, which are Spadilla, Manilla, and Basta. Should these be held by 
the player, or by the player and his partner, the three increase the pen- 
alties one counter. The holding of the matadors gives value to the 
sequences in the hands. These cards count as ace, king, queen, jack, 
ten, nine, eight, and for every one held, having the higher matadors all 
in the hand, one more chip is paid out or received. 

The bete, or penalty for non-performance, is played in many ways. 
The most approved rule is for a person making a declare, and not taking 
three tricks in a solo, to pay a bete of one into the pool, or if he calls a- 
tout, nor taking the five tricks, two counters. In some cases betes are 
not required at all, the pool consisting only of the counters put up of the 
dealers, and the doubling of this pool or stamm up to 16. 

BIDDING. 

The eldest hand has the first call. He can pass or make a call. The 
highest bidder has the call. In this respect it is like Skat. A player hav- 
ing made a call, must try to make it. He cannot diminish his call. 

SOLO THREE-HANDED. 

Here twenty-four cards are used, ace to seven of clubs and spades, and 
ace to eight of hearts, with the seven of diamonds. There are the same 
Matadors, as Spadilla, Basta, and Manilla. Nothing but Solo can be 
played. As the cards do not always furnish a Solo, obligatory play is 
frequent, and in this case the player taking the last trick loses a solo. 



NAPOLEON, OR' NAP. 

This game is believed to be an Ameficati game. It is how iiearly 
half a century old. It was called Napoleon at first/but is known now 
generally as Nap. Its name came from the fad: ^hat "the pnncipal 
player has every man in the game against him. An ordinafjr pack of 
fifty-two cards is used in the game. Four, five, or six are the best 
numbers to play, although any number can take a hand. When six 
play, the dealer does not deal himself cards, but receives and pays 
just as the other players do. This is sometimes done with five in the 
game. 

One reason for thb popularity of the game i^ that it ''takes but a 
short time to play the hands. No great skill is required to play the 
game, although the careful player will win the oftenest. 

The deal is decided by throwing cards around face up. That player 
who gets the first knave deals. The deal is a disadvantage, so there is 
no penalty unless a "kitty" or pool is used, when the offending dealer 
pays a penalty to the pool equal to the stake of one trick. 

In case of a misdeal or the exposure of a card thfe whole pack must 
be collected, shuffled, and dealt by the same player. Any player touch- 
ing the pack after it leaves the dealer's hand must put into the pool 
a stake equal to that of one trick. 

Upon the completion of the deal the players look at their hands and 
declare whether they stand or pass. If a player decides to stand he 
announces the number of tricks he stands for. He simply passes with- 
out explanation. The player to the left of the dealer must stand for 
one trick if all the others pass, unless there is a **double header" 
agreed upon. After all have declared the player declaring the highest 
number of tricks becomes the senior hand. He then plays against all 
the others. He can make the trump, which He must lead. The player 
to his left plays next and, if possible, must follow suit. If no player 
•heads th6 nut" the trick is scored by the senior hand, who leads again. 
If the trick is taken the winner can lead any suit he likes, and the 
others must follow suit, if possible. If the senior hand wins the tricks 
(550) 



Napoleon. 55 1 

he has declared to win, the cards are gathered together for a new deal. 
If he loses so many that it is impossible to win, the new deal takes 
place. 

The player scoring five tricks makes **Nap" and receives double the 
stakes played for from each player, which are decided on before the 
game begins. If the senior hand makes the number of tricks declared, 
say three, the other players pay him three times the amount of the 
stakes. If he fails he would have to pay three times the stakes to 
each player. If he declared for "Nap," he receives payment as if each 
player had lost ten tricks. 

Each player has a right to deal, and no game should be given up 
until each player has dealt. If a player exposes a card before his 
turn to play or declares before his turn, he cannot stand on that hand. 
If a player — except the stand hand — expose a card before his turn to 
play, play out of turn, or detach a card from his hand which he does 
not play on the current trick, he must pay the value of three tricks 
in addition to his stakes. If the stand hand loses he also gets nothing. 
If any player, except the stand hand, revoke, he must pay the stakes of 
all the players if the stand hand wins. If the stand hand loses he 
pays all players except the one who revoked. If the stand hand revokes 
he loses what he stood for. If the stand hand wins he must show his 
unplayed cards, and if he loses he has the right to see the unplayed 
cards of the others. A new player takes his place to the left of the 
last dealer and is the next dealer. 

VARIATIONS OF THE GAME. 

The game is played with several variations, which must be decided on 
and generally agreed upon before the play is started, otherwise the laws 
of the simple game rule. Al times four tricks only receive single and 
Nap only double. It is better to play with the payment for four tricks 
won, as this induces the players to declare for four. When a pool, o*- 
"kitty," is decided upon, each dealer makes a payment according to the 
value of the stake of the game. The kitty becomes the property of the 
player making Nap, and he takes the kitty in addition to the double 
stakes he receives from each player. If it is decided to finish a game 
before a Nap has been made, the kitty is divided equally between the 
players or it can be cut for, the lowest cut winning. 

MISERE, OR MISERY. 

This variation is the most commonly played. It is the antipode of 
Nap, for the caller may not take a single trick. He leads in the usual 



552 



NAPOLkON, 



way, the first card being a trump, unless, as frequently It is agreed, 
there be no trumps. The caller of Misere must follow suit always 
when possible. He is not forced to trump if he has no card of the suit 
led. He must play his cards so as to avoid taking tricks. If he should 
take a single trick, or if his first trick is not headed, he loses and is 
forced to pay. If he avoids taking a trick, the other players must pay 
him. The stake generally is three for winner or loser; but if a player 
declares he can make three tricks, he takes precedence and plays ac- 
cordingly. 

If the game is played with Jam, the dealer puts into the pool an 
agreed stake and each dealer in turn does the same. A declaration of 
four tricks with Jam takes precedence of four without it. If the stand 
hand declares "four with Jam" and wins four tricks, he will take the 
Jam from the pool, adding it to the stakes he receives from the other 
players. If any Jam remains in the pool when the play is ended, it is 
divided equally among the players. 

After the cards have been distributed, but before any declarations, 
the dealer asks each player in turn if he wants to buy cards. If a 
player wishes :o buy, he throws to one side, face downward, the cards 
he wishes to be rid of and puts in the pool the value of one trick tor 
each card he gets from the dealer. The cards must be taken from the 
top of the pack and must not be exposed. 

SIR GARNET OR SPARE HAND. 

In this variation an extra hand of five cards is dealt and left upon 
the table. Kach player in turn has the right to select from this hand 
the cards he wishes, discarding those he does not want. He must then 
stand for or declare Nap. If there is a pool he must put into it the 
value of two tricks, if he fails to score, in addition to paying to <-he 
other players the stake for losing five tricks. 

If each player passes, the stakes for the ensuing deal are doubled 
and remain thus until the person who has declared wins. It is the 
custom, when this variation is decided upon, to agree that the lowest 
call be three, as this makes the double-header occur at intervals. 

we:i.i.ington. 

If a player in this game calls Napoleon, and the player on the left 
thinks that he can make five tricks, he may call Wellington, when the 
stakes are doubled and the caller wins twenty or loses ten. It is some- 
times played that the winner gets no more than if he made Nap, but 
pays double or ten. 



I 



NAPOLEON, 5153 

bi,uchi:r. 

This is called as in Wellington, except in this case it is over (after) 
Wellington and trebles the others, the caller winning thirty or losing 
twenty. This is also modified at times so that the caller pays fifteen 
to each player on losing and gets ten from each for winning. 

The declarations of both Wellington and Blucher cannot be made by 
the first caller, even though he may have five cards and b'^ certain of 
taking all five tricks. This is remedied in one variation by giving the 
first caller the right, should he be challenged a Wellington, to answer 
"Blucher" or to even answer "Wellington accepted," If he does not 
care to accept the challenge, the challenger plays a Wellington or a 
Blucher, as the case may be. These details should always be settled 
at the opening of the game. 

SIX OR DRAW-CARD NAP. 

In this game six or seven cards are dealt to each player, who, before 
making his call, must throw away, face downward, one or more of his 
cards, retaining five in his hand. Then the game is played in the usual 
way. 

nine:-card nap. 

This is the latest innovation. It is played exactly as five-card Na- 
poleon is played, except that nine cards are held by each player. Its 
scope is much more limited than the other varieties, as, even with three 
players, more than half the pack is in use. In this game a player call- 
ing Nap must make all nine tricks, which is a difficult and consequently 
a rare occurrence. Two players well matched will find it a pleasing 
game, as the possibilities are very different from those of the ordinary 
game. 



GRABOUGE, 



Two, four, six, or eight persons can play Grabouge. Three packs of 
fifty-two cards are required if two, four, or six play, while if eight 
engage in the game four packs are required. 

The cards rank as in Whist. With four playing they play partners; 
with six, two sides are formed with three partners each; and with 
eight, four partners to a side. Partners take alternate seats around the 
table. The player who cuts the lowest card deals. Twenty cards for 
each side are dealt out, face downward except the twentieth card of 
each side, which is turned face upward. With six or eight players addi- 
tional cards are sometimes dealt. 

Books of five cards are dealt to each player. The remaining cards 
are made up into trobks of five, which are distributed to each player as 
his cards are exhausted. 

The first player, that one to the left of the dealer, begins by playing 
an ace, if he has one, in the centre of the table. He may build upon 
the ace the suitable cards in his hand, say the two, three, four, etc. 
He may exhaust his hand and take a fresh one, or play until the 
card turned up on his 20-pile can be played off that pile. Aces 
must always be placed in the centre of the table, the piles built upon 
them being known as the centre pile. After a player has played the 
last card in his hand, he calls for another book or lays a card, face up- 
ward, known as a table card, in front of him, which indicates that he 
has finished playing in the centre. 

The object of the game is to play off the cards in the 20-pile as 
rapidly as possible. 

It is not obligatory to play an ace at once. Unless cards are held in 
sequence to the ace, if is better not to play it, especially if the card at 
the top of the pile of the player's adversary is a low one. In such a 
case it is better to play your cards upon the table, retaining your aces 
until the last, when by playing them you get a fresh hand which may 
contain cards you need. 

In building up the centre piles a player is permitted to use cards 
from his hand or from the top of his partner's table piles, the top card 
of the 20-pile, but he is not compelled to play upon the centre piles 
unless he chooses to. When it comes his turn to play he may play a 
card upon either of his table piles. This can be done irrespective of the 
(554) 



FRENCH WHIST-- THIR TEEN AND THE ODD. 555 

fact that the cards may not be in sequence with the top cards of the 
centre piles. 

One should always refrain from playing upon the centre piles when 
it will help one's adversary. As your adversary cannot use the cards 
on your tables, this is obviously the best play. These cards may be 
used by your partner in blocking your adversaries, by playing them in 
such a way as to prevent the putting of their table cards on to the 
centre piles. 

There can be but four table cards in front of each player. The aces 
are built upon regardless of suits. When the king is placed on a pile 
it is removed from the centre. 

No remarks of any kind are permitted by the partners of a player who 
is about to play. If this is disobeyed, each of your adversaries has a 
right to place a card in the centre of the pile of the offending side.- A 
player attempting to look at the cards beneath the top card is penalized 
in the same manner. 



FRENCH whist:; 

A variety of Catch-the-Ten is known as French Whist. It is played 
like Whist, with these exceptions: 

The game is forty instead of ten points. 

Those who win the honors count them. 

The ten of diamonds counts ten for those who win it. It is not a 
trump unless diamonds are trumps. 

The tricks count as in Whist. 



THIRTEEEN AND THE ODD. 

Two persons with a full pack of fifty-two cards play this game. The 
cards rank as in Whist. In cutting for the deal, low deals. Thirteen 
cards are dealt to each player, one at a time. The dealer turns up the 
top card, after the deal, for trump. If he makes a misdeal he . loses 
his deal. 

The elder hand leads. The tricks are legulated as in Whist, and the 
player first capturing seven tricks wins the game. In case of a revoke, 
the player making the error loses the game if the trick has been turned, 
otherwise he is permitted to correct his error. 



REVERSI. 



Reversi Is an entirely different game from Reversis, described on 
page 336. Reversis is played with cards, while Reversi is played with 
a chessboard and sixty-four counters which are painted, black on one 
side and white on the other, or red and white respectively. Each player 
takes thirty-two counters of a like color. The board, for sake of illus- 
tration, is numbered starting at i on the upper left-hand corner and 
running to 64 in the lower right-hand corner^ — the first row across the 
top I to 8, the second 9 to 16, etc. The four centre squares, containing 
the numbers 28, 29, 36, and 37, are marked off with heavy black lines 
making a black square in the centre of the board. 

The game is started by placing a counter in one of the four central 
squares. The first play is decided by throwing dice or tossing a coin. 
After the four central squares are filled the players can no longer play 
on unoccupied squares as they please. Instead the players have to be 
guided by the positions of the counters already on the board. Each 
player must put his counter on a square next to a man belonging to his 
adversary, and with the proviso that he has another counter at the 
opposite side and adjoining it in a straight or an oblique line. 

Upon making this play he reverses all his opponent's men. The ob- 
ject of the players is to have as many counters as possible of their own 
color at the end of the game. A player is compelled to reverse all the 
rows to which he is entitled by his move, in both straight and oblique 
lines. 

If, when a player's turn to play comes around, he is not able to play, 
there being no move open to him, his turn is deferred and his ad- 
versary may proceed. If he cannot play again, his adversary may 
continue, and so until he has no more men left to play with. The game 
ends when neither player can play. The winner is the one who has the 
greater number of men of his own color on the boards. 

THE RULES. 

The player who loses the choice of play the first game begins the 
second game, the players alternating after that; when a player places 
his man and reverses one or more of his adversary's men, he must re- 
(556) 



REVERSI. 



557 



verse all the men which are en prise or in a position to be reversed; if 
a player fails to reverse all the men he can reverse, through an over- 
sight, he cannot rectify his mistake after his adversary has begun his 
play, except with the lattcr's consent; again, if he fails to reverse a 
man his adversary can force him to do so, or, if he thinks it to his 
interest, permit the play to stand; when a player compels his ad- 
versary to reverse any one or more men, the latter has the right to have 
all reversed which were en prise. 

A player who has the right to force his adversary to turn a man 
forfeits that right if he begins to play before exacting it; if a player 
makes an illegal move or reverses men he had no right to reverse, his 
opponent can require him to correct the mistake, or he can let the mat- 
ter stand; if a player reverse one or more of his own men, it shall be 
optional with his opponent whether he require him to correct the mis- 
take or to leave matters as they are. 

If, when a player's turn to play arrives, he cannot move, his turn is 
deferred; if one player has several counters left when the other has 
played all his men, the former can play as many consecutive moves as 
can be played according to the rules. 

If neither player can move, although both have a man or men on 
hand, or if one has played thirty-two men and his opponent is unable 
to play, although he has men in his hand, it is a block and the game 
ends. 

Onlookers are not permitted to make suggestions nor to call attention 
to mistakes. 

ROYAL REVERSI. 

This game is played on an especially designed board, and two, three, 
four, five, or six persons can play. The counters are cubes whose faces 
are painted different colors. While the chessboard has four corners the 
Royal Reversi board has twelve corners. 

This game is different from Reversi in that while a player must 
turn or reverse one man every time he plays, he is not compelled to re- 
verse all the rows to which his move gives him the right. If he cannot 
reverse a man his play is deferred. 

If three persons play, they decide upon their order of play and the 
color of their men by lot and each takes twenty men. The six central 
squares must first be covered. The central space is covered with a 
colorless cube. When four or six play, each should have fifteen and 
ten men; when five play, twelve men. The game is played just as 
Keversi is played. 



FLINCH. 



This is a new game. It has caught the popular fancy, and is being 
played in many parts of the country. It is copyrighted by. A. J. Pat- 
terson and the cards are made by the Flinch Card Company, of Kala- 
mazoo, Mich. 

The inventors and the manufacturers say, with some show of reason, 
that the game is simpler than Authors and more scientific than Whist. 

THE RUIZES. 

The Pack. — Flinch is played with a pack of one hundred and fifty 
cards numbered consecutively from i to 15, there being ten of each 
number. 

Players. — Any number from two to eight may play the game. 

Dealing. — Shuffle the cards thoroughly and first deal ten cards to 
each player for his flinch pile, next deal five cards to each player to 
play with; each player places his flinch pile face up in front of him, 
with only the top card exposed. 

Previous to dealing, the entire pack may be sorted into hands of 
five cards each and stacked up criss-cross to keep them divided. It is 
sometimes advisable among younger players to sort each hand so that it 
contains no two cards of the same number and no sequence. But this 
is optional. 

Playing. — The first player at the left of the dealer having a card 
number i, begins the game by laying it on the centre of the table, face 
up. If he can follow with a 2, he lays it on top of the i, and so on 
as long as he can play from his hand, his reserve, or the top card of 
his flinch pile. If he can play out his entire hand he may draw an- 
other and continue to play. If no player has a i, all the hands are 
laid down as reserve and new hands dealt. You must play all the 
ones you have in your hand, and may be flinched for not doing so 
when you have a chance, but need not play any other numbers unless 
you wish, excepting your flinch pile, from which you must always 
play when opportunity offers. 
(SS8) 



FLINCH. 559 

The piles go to 15 and are then removed from the table. When 
several piles have been removed and all the cards have been used from 
the stack, and the game is not finished, the removed cards are shuffled 
and dealt out again to continue the game. 

The piles built up on the middle of the table are to play on and not 
from. How many you accumulate does not count. 

The Reserve. — When a player can no longer play he lays down a 
card, face up, in front of him, and the next player to the left pro- 
ceeds to play. These cards are your reserve and are placed side by 
side until there are five, after which others are placed on top of any 
one of the five you choose. In playing from the reserve, only the top 
cards may be played and it is not allowable to look at those beneath. 

When a reserve pile is exhausted its place must be filled with the 
next reserve card laid down to make up the full number (five) of re- 
serve piles. Cards must not be removed from one reserve pile to an- 
other. 

The Object of the Game is to get rid of your flinch pile, and the 
player who first succeeds wins the game. To this end you must play 
from your flinch pile whenever possible. If you can, but fail to do so, 
3'^our opponent will call "Flinch," and you will have to draw a card 
from his flinch pile and place it on the bottom of yours. In case of 
two or more opponents calling **Flinch" at the same time, draw the 
card from the pack. 

The Science of the Game lies in so managing the reserve as to 
aid yourself in getting rid of your flinch pile and in hindering your 
opponents from getting rid of theirs. Keep track of the cards buried 
in your reserve, without referring to them, however; and do not play 
them out except to benefit yourself or hinder your opponents, but 
rather keep them until you may be benefited by playing them. Never 
miss a chance to head off an opponent from playing a flinch card. 

In Peaying Partners, the same rules apply, except that you are at 
liberty to play from your partner's flinch pile and from his reserve. 
You must first play from your flinch pile, then from your partner'vS 
flinch pile, then from anywhere you can. 



BOURSE, 



{Copyright, IQ03, by Flinch Card Company, Kalamazoo, Mich."] 

The pack consists of eighty cards, ten of each commodity — wheat, 
corn, cotton, oil, beef, pork, mutton, and stocks. For convenience each 
commodity is numbered from i to 10 consecutively. 

Any number of people from three to eight may play the game and as 
many commodities must be used as there are players; for instance, if 
there are only four players, only one-half of the pack is used. 

Shuffle the cards thoroughly and deal to the left, one card at a time, 
until the pack is exhausted. Each player will then arrange his hand, 
sorting the commodities to suit his own taste, and decide which com- 
modity he wishes to control. The dealer, when his cards are arranged, 
calls "play,*' or an offer to trade by the dealer may be considered an 
announcement that the board is open. 

The object of the game is to secure a hand composed entirely of one 
commodity. This is accomplished by trading cards with other players. 
A player offers to trade, and trades any number of cards with any 
player willing to trade an equal number. This continues until some 
player completes his hand and calls *'sold," which ends the hand and 
counts one point for the successful player. 

The cards are again shuffled and dealt, the deal passing to the left. 
Continue until ten hands have been played, when the player having won 
the greatest number of points wins the game. Players do not have to 
wait their turn to play — all play at once and all talk at once. The 
player who can make the most exchanges in the least time usually wins 
tlie game. 

Bourse may be played progressively, and will be found to possess 
extraordinary merits as a fun producer when played in this way. In 
playing partners the same rules apply. The partners should first trade 
cards with each other, to ascertain what commodities are desired by 
each, and then proceed to trade with other players until one of the 
partners completes his hand, which wins the point. 
(560) 



NUMERICA. 



Numerica is a game copyrighted by the Numerica Company^ of 
Utica, N. Y. This company manufactures the counters used. It is a 
pleasing game and has been played a great deal lately. Two, three, 
four, or more can play the game. It is also excellent as a solitaire. 
The directions as used by the company are as follows: 

Each player's set consists of fifty-twQ counters, of the same color, 
numbering from i to 13 inclusive, four of each number. 

One player acts as leader, thoroughly shuffles his counters, places 
them face downward, from which ne calls off the numbers as he draws 
the counters at random. 

All other players arrange their counters in rotation and four of each 
denomination together, that they may be readily placed in the columns 
to be formed as they are called. 

The leader now calls the number of the counters drawn from the 
box, and he and the other players each place their own counters in 
four columns, from which four stacks are to be built of consecutive 
numbers from i to 13 inclusive. 

The object is to place the counters in the columns in such a manner 
as to avoid "shutting in" a smaller number by a larger, for only 
the last number in any column can be added to the stacks. When i is 
drawn from the original quantity of counters, set it aside as a founda- 
tion of one of your four stacks. 

Counters musf be drawn by the leader until the required numbers 
for your stacks are drawn or the quantity is exhausted. For example 
of a "game," should 10 be the first counter drawn, let it head a column;; 
next, if a larger number, let it head another column; if smaller, place it 
under the number nearest it in value, always remembering to avoid, if 
possible, "shutting in" smaller by larger numbers. At times this will 
be unavoidable, but by practice you will discover the best way of dis- 
posing of your numbers. Suppose four columns to be thus far formed: 

13 13 10 12 

12 9 10 3 

11 10 9 4 

8 7 3 

6 5 2 

(561) 



562 NUMERICA. 

When fortune favors you with i, now build on your i by taking 
2 from column 4; 3 from column 4; 4 from column 4; 5 from column 
3; 6 from column 2; 7 from column 3; 8 from column 2; 9 from 
column 3; 10 from column 2; 11 from column i; 12 from column i; 
13 from column i; and you have one of your stacks complete. Usually 
you will have two, three, and even four stacks building at the same 
time, for as soon as you draw a i you commence to stack. 

This is simply to illustrate the best way of placing the numbers, as 
you will not always be so fortunate as to draw less numbers to place 
under greater, and so complications may arise and prevent the success- 
ful formation of your stacks. 

As the drawing is simply a chance of desirable numbers for your 
columns or stacks, you will frequently be disappointed in undesirable 
ones, which, however, must be accepted and placed in the best possible 
position; and the fortunate drawing of a coveted number will open up 
the columns in a most unexpected manner, and your stacks will be com- 
pleted. Continue the drawing until all counters have been placed. 

The added numbers on top of your stacks will give your count for the 
game. It can be played with partners. In this case each player in 
turn takes the place of the leader and calls off the numbers. It is 
possible, by placing your numbers in the best way, to make fifty-two in 
one lound of the game. A moderately good player can make fifty-two 
in one game in three. 

Solitaire may be played by the person taking the place of the leader, 
drawing the counters, face downward, and proceeding as in the regular 
game. 



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